Reedy River
0- Reedy River Falls Historic Park (Falls Park)(Reedy River Falls)
| Difficulty | IV(V) |
| Length | 0.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 200 fpm |
| Gauge | Reedy River Near Greenville, Sc |
| Flow Rate as of 48 minutes | 22 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 19, 2006 |
River Description
The Reedy River drops over a spectacular waterfall in the Reedy River Falls Historic Park of downtown Greenville. Currently the bridge spanning the falls is being removed and the dangerous piling will no longer be a whitewater issue, though there is some debris in the water, including a 20' long steel I-beam breaching the runout of the falls and some rebar protruding from the old piling beds on river L in the splash pool. The good news is that the contract included a section that the construction must include the removal of all debris to bedrock. This waterfall and the following two downstream ledges have been run by boaters numerous times, but only in heavy flow conditions. This river flushes extremely quickly, and I am guessing needs about an inch or 2 of rain within 12 hours to even consider a run. Upstream of the Peace Center, there is a flatwater Slalom Course, but between this course and the falls there is a low-head box dam that looks like a death trap not worth the risks. Below the falls park and the US-29 bridge, there is a broach-trap box-bridge carrying a 14 inch water main. I have heard of these slots being run at moderate levels, but the boxes are set about thirty degrees to the current, and are often filled with debris. Scout and consider carefully before shooting this bridge. Below this is a nice slide, and at higher flows what looks to be a decent wave/hole that could pull some good surfs and 360s, though I don't know how deep it is and the feasability of verticle moves.
River Features
Slalom Course
A small ~20 gate flatwater slalom course upstream of the actual park, behind the Peace Center.
Put In
Lowhead Box Dam
A boofable lowhead dam.
Reedy Falls (Big Brother)
A multistage slide/falls with a narrow landing margin. The accepted line is down the generally left side of the falls. You want to be lined up as you slide down the first section on the R edge of the exploding pillow under the drainpipe in the top of the picture, pointed R. Note that there is a boulder sieve to the R of the intended landing zone, and an undercut rock/bank on the L. The drop, depending on level, has a ramping effect at the bottom which breaks up any sort of sticky hole. If the water is really high, this lip may be covered to the point a boat may not interact with it, and the hole gets an attitude. NOTE--do not try the center or right side lines. The center seems to feed a disgusting looking boulder sieve, and the R side lands flat on bedrock from about 15 feet with a tight, nasty looking runout
Lower Falls (Little Brother)
The difficulty here is severely dependent on water level. In the picture, it's hard to tell, but there are actually 2 distinguished drops here. Check out the low-water picture in the photo/video library to get the idea. 2 lines here--low water, start R, sliding down the first drop with L angle, slamdance with the rock face into a side surf, and jet through a little ramping slot into the landing pool. At higher water (a little lower than this photo), stay away from the R-side rock face, straight on L of center and punch the hole at the bottom. It has been said that debris as large as refrigerators have taken up residence in this hole at the bottom during floods. Scout even if you have just run the top falls...things float in randomly. Take note that there is a tree-infested island directly downstream that is in the center of the flow at higher water.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAnyone who is qualified to paddle Reedy River Falls and has trouble with the Greenville City policy allowing them to do so should show up with a copy of the document 'Reedy Falls Ordinance Meeting Minutes' attached at the right side of this. A copy of this document in hand has, in the past, allowed paddlers to boat the falls.
Hey,
We ran the drop at 30 ish cfs and it was runable but low..still a fun park and huck.
We did however run into some problems with the police nothing serious but there are signs saying no sliding on rocks...fortunately this does not include kayaking. And as long as your nice they will not give you the 1000$ fine.
We will find out on monday if the bill includes kayaking for sure or not.
we ran it at 440 and it was good to go
has this ever been boated @ low?
This is what the falls look like after
about a day and a half to two days of
heavy rain fall. Something like
1700cfs
same level as 1st drop.
same as other 2
Click here to see a larger version of this photo.
This is what the falls look like after about a day and a half to two days of heavy rain fall. Something like 1700cfs. Click here to see a larger version of this photo.
Ben Gaston hucking Reedy Falls on a sunny day, at a medium flow. This was the day we found the dam was runnable, and Little Brother showed it's attitude. Look under the culvert for a boater coming in a few seconds into the clip.
Damn rock got in the way!