Catawba, South Fork

Scouted High Shoals Falls. It is an old dam next to the ruins of a factory. Was able to spot a few lines that looked like slides. River right side is more of a traditonal waterfall but wasn't able to get a good visual. In high flood water this thing looks beefy.

The Catawba Lands Conservancy has designated the river between Spencer Mountain and McAdenville a 'Blue-way.' There is a nice CLC put-in on river left at Spencer Mountain. 5 miles downstream in McAdenville there is a CLC take-out on river right, just downstream and visible from the I-85 bridge. This is a decent beginer run. After a rain there are some class 1-2 rapids. It's very scenic for the area, meandering through protected forestland. Watch for the rare Big-Leaf Magnolias growing on river right. Gary Mims, Nov 2009

Water quality is terrible... New

Forum: BoaterTalk

Re: Any NC foothills or piedmont paddlers ever ran either of these rapids in gaston county? by ncriverboarder Sep 01 2003, 2:02 GMT New

Date: Sep 01 2003, 12:15 GMT

From: wsboater

I haven't personally played at these spots, but I know of people that have - and they all wondered what chemicals were in the water. Numerous textile/industrial complexes upstream of that area.

Buddy of mine that worked for Meck. Parks/Rec called up NC Water Advisory, etc and asked what test results they had for the water quality and was it safe to kayak in? According to the state, it is classified as 'water suitable for drinking' (just not immediately suitable I presume), whatever that means. I mean, they dumped how many million gallons of sewage into Lake Norman the other year and it is classified as safe with respect to recreation/water supply?

Guy kept giving him ambiguous answers about the being in contact with said 'drinking' water, then finally the guy told him that he wouldn't be coming into contact with it at all.

Take a look at the rocks out there in the river bed sometime, I'm not sure what chemicals are there, but I know that textile dyes are a regular occurence in the area. Supposedly the locals nicknamed the area the 'rainbow river' for all the varied textile dyes that float down at different times.

There is a lowhead dam just visible when you cross on I-85, water feature of some sort is present below that, sounds like you have already found the trail to get to the river from below.

Wes