Lawsons Fork Creek

Big water

We ran below the dam Feb 6, 2010 the water was running really high and fast we ran it down past the waterfall and then we ran it on the 28 and the water was down but still runnable

Damon running Lawson's Dawg

Duane running just below the dam at medium

Damon running below the dam at medium

There were a few impassable deadfalls and strainers. We went through yesterday and cut out 6 deadfalls and cleaned up some particularly dangerous strainers. I certainly wouldn't seal launch off the bridge as there is some old wood above the dam. However, I have safely run the dam. Go checkout this run next time we get some rain. Better yet, send me an email and I'll head down it with you :)

We'll be setting up a visual guage on the dam once we get Wofford's permission. I think the online pacolet guage might be a suitable substitute in the mean time.

Gauge is no more! visual is now our only option.

This is an update to the strainers. I've ran the upper sections of Lawson's fork now in 08 at low and high flood waters. Nothing a little persistence can't get you through. Main problem is just occassional blockage. Also, Jeff's reference to getting impaled is quite exaggerated. Maybe something has changed since he was there, but I just didn't see an issue with this spot. Just watch where you are going, I've gone under that bridge 4 times now. There is a sign to warn you when it's coming.

Lawson's Dawg at low water

Glendale Slide @ medium

There isn't a page for it but the upper sections of the river are full of consecutive deadfalls and several really bad strainers. There is one just past Lakeforest that was pretty much impossible to get by.

More rowdy paddlers might be tempted to seal launch off the bridge just above the put-in at Glendale Shoals, then run the dam. Don't do it! Just under the water under that bridge there is a rotten old wooden dam that will impale you. You can see it at low water.

The big mill right near the put-in burned down several months ago. It's a shame because I had heard there was a group going to make it into appartments. 6-5-04