Route 1461 (Johnson U.) to US Route 501

Says robert martin 2001-02-07 17:06:24 Here are some notes from Russ Condrey, a paddling legend. At 3.2' USGS it's like the Nantahala+, at 4.8' it's excellent, at 7.2' it's huge (Upper Gauley), at 10.4' it's scary. Other notes from Russ: 2.0 is painfully low. 3.0' to 5.0' is a good level. 5.0' it gets pushy. If you look on a map there are two possible put-ins above Johnson's Mill Road, one is on South Lowell rd. Before Hurricane Fran this was a good warm-up before the Micro-gorge below Johnson's Mill Rd. They have developed this area heavily, so you will be paddling through people's back yards. Due to the Eno River Society, areas of this unique river are being saved from developement and turned into a park. This river also harbors the Roanoke Bass, a spieces of fish that has become threatened in the last few years. They are locally know as 'red eyes'. They thrive in swift moving waters. What better fish could represent whitewater boaters. robert martin 2000-10-16 12:48:27 The most challenging 1/4 mile of whitewater on the Piedmont of North Carolina, no joke. It's like being on an Appalachian Creek! At high water it's class V! Put in at Johnson's Mill Rd. and take out on Hwy 501. If you park at the takeout on the river right, upstream side of the bridge, DO NOT park in the grass, keep all 4 tires on the pavement. The land owner has complained about this.