Neuse

I walked up from Poole Rd to the Crabtree Creek/Neuse Confluence. At this flow, water moves swiftly, but it actually starts to wash out Gunnison Rapid. It is still a rapid, but less difficult than lower levels, I'd consider class I. I've run 114 CFS and 174 CFS at the same spot and felt that lower levels were more interesting than 687 CFS. The same is the case for two rapids found below Poole Rd, which are fun spots to play at lower levels about a quarter mile below the bridge, but were almost completely washed out at the higher level. I suspect that Milburnie Dam would have been good, but didn't go that far upstream.

Also consider that about one mile above Milburnie Dam is another set of rapids, class IIish where an island splits the flow. River left is more of a creeky side and river right is a fun double drop with a very small surf wave at the bottom. I'm not sure how these are at higher flows, probably washed out, but they are fun at lower levels. For this reason, I think Buffalo Rd to Milburnie Dam is more interesting for whitewater than to Poole Rd.

Just did this route on Sunday, a few spots you may get stuck but part of trees under the bridges have been cleared creating a safe flow path. You will still see trees as you approach each bridge but, can go towards section that has been cleared at each location. Overall, very nice

The small rapid, Gunnison, has a large tree and root ball at bottom of rapid. While it is possible to skirt past this on river left, the root ball and upper tree branches block most of river right, center, and a bit of river left flow. Root ball is dangerously undercut. A swim or uncontrolled boat from practicing/learning skills in Gunnison or an unsuspecting recreational kayaker would not be good. The root ball is large enough that it would require some serious saw work to move/remove, or it is likely here until the next high water event.

Gunnison rapid from first eddy on river left. This is a good spot for beginners to practice.

Poole Rd Access is open again. Parking is improved but the launch/access to the water remains the same.

Gunnison Rapid was a fun begineer rapid @ 170 CFS.

Gunnisons rapid is fun from about 200 cfs to about 2000 cfs. You can take the right line at higher flows, the center line at medium flows, and the left line at lower flows. If you enjoy this enough to do over again, take out on river left and walk back the 150 yards or so via a well worn trail. Take out is easy, but put in above the rapids can be difficult and muddy.
At times muscrat are rampant in this area, with about 20 seen during one run.

Take out just before the intake station on river right. Just past the dam, there's a small path on the left. Relaunch from here.