Clubs go Deep and Shallow
| River: | Other |
| Skill: | Novice |
| Trip Date: | 04/25/2026 |
Deep River, section 7.5, April 25, 2026
∞ A bunch of us crossover paddlers, ones who belong to both the Carolina Canoe Club and the Carolina Kayak Club, have been talking about a combined trip. A run with a few Class I and II features that would allow people used to flatwater to get a taste of riffles, rocks and rapids. A surprising number of paddlers belong to both clubs, alternating the excitement of rivers sporting gradient and the enjoyment of beautiful lake and wetland nature trips. Coastal action in wind and waves can certainly bring up the adrenaline level and many Piedmont and western rivers have quiet, scenic water with only a taste of rapids.
I’m going through a longer explanation of river calculations here because some of the readers may not be accustomed to these head-scratching tactics of deciding what river and section to run.
The problem is water level. We’re in a prolonged drought and rivers need water to refresh themselves. As soon as leaves appear on trees the need is doubled or tripled. Some rivers in the mountains have controlled dam releases, allowing spurts of paddling water as long as the reservoirs permit. The natural-flow rivers rely on cloud releases, of which there have been precious few lately.
Our target river was a section of the beautiful Uwharrie River, nestled in an ancient mountain range in central North Carolina, close to Troy and Albemarle. Jim Butler and I had paddled a section in late March, from the Low Water Bridge Access to the NC 109 Access. This section is winding and lovely, with high banks and a mountain feel. The level was 2.1 feet when we paddled and we felt 2.3 would be a better minimum level. We had a good time but did drag our tails in a few places. At this level a few class I riffles rocked our boats but nothing dramatic. At 4 or 5 feet this section is for whitewater paddlers with strong intermediate skills, III or III+.
Ingrid Hadden was coordinating the CKC side of things and I was organizing the CCC and the overall trip with help from Jim B. The date for our paddle was set for April 25 and we hoped a river close to the Triangle could be paddled on the chosen day.
As time neared, the USGS gage at Eldorado showed less than 2 feet for the Uwharrie. It would be a bumpy ride. We punted. Jim suggested a section of the Deep River we had paddled in December. If you are accustomed to Paul Ferguson’s definitive Paddling Eastern North Carolina, this would be the Deep River section “7.5”. We would do a 6.8 mile span of the Deep that is “always above minimum.” Always is a very precarious word, meaning, “almost always”. In a time when hundred-year storms seem to blow up every few years, “always” isn’t a certainty. When we paddled in December the river was at 1.6 feet, 215cfs and was going up gradually. We scraped a little but didn’t leave our boats.
As April 25 neared, the USGS gage on the Deep at Moncure was reading 1.5 feet, 165 cfs. A little lean but maybe just doable. We decided to give it a go, even if it meant a little boat dragging.
On the day, thirteen paddlers gathered at the put-in. As mentioned before we were tackling a half-section, a little less than seven miles. This meant the alternate put-in we would be using was a little more primitive than more established accesses. The location is off Carbonton Road (Moore Co. 1621) just after it crosses the Deep, where it intersects with Harrington Road. Parking is plentiful on both sides of Harrington. There was even a porta-potty although its cleanliness wasn’t commendable.
After crossing the road we followed a wide path to the river. The path came to an end at a steep drop-off near the bridge supports. I was elected kayak-catcher and stood at the bottom as people launched their gear-laden boats off the hill. Most of the boats glided slowly but the last one threatened to boof off the kayak pile and into the river. Everyone scrambled carefully down the hillside below the bridge, being careful to use tree branches to ease their descent. Poison ivy is robust this year so we took pains to avoid it. Those wearing shorts washed their legs afterwards in good old Deep water which seemed to counteract any poisonous effects of the triple-leaf ivy. At least, I have not heard reports otherwise.
Then we took off. Our flotilla was a colorful and varied lot. Most people had whitewater boats of various lengths and shapes. A couple had recreational boats. Jim paddled his Hobie pedal kayak, mostly using a paddle for propulsion. He’s a fisherman so he moved ahead of the group, probing for fish.
The trip leaders asked for participants to bring a helmet if they had one but with the water so low there was little chance of tipping over. Many turned to sun hats as the trip proceeded. Everyone was expected to wear a PFD.
From the CKC we had Barry Shelton, April Tacey-Dickinson and Rodney Sigrist. The CCC was represented by Judy Milakovich, Chris Day, Braden Gardner and daughters, Maya and Maddie. Many of the paddlers belonged to both clubs: Ingrid Haddon, Russ Scheve, Deb Hinzman, Alton Chewning and Jim Butler. For a $20 yearly membership fee to each club, it’s not a big financial drain.
We had the young and the old. I’ll describe the young members and not belabor the older ones. Maddie and Maya are sisters, both in their young teens. Their dad, Braden, paddled with them, wearing a big straw hat. M&M have paddled a few rivers, including sections of the Dan and the Mayo. Both are enthusiatic paddlers and like the excitement of faster water. We should do what we can to nurture our young paddlers to keep the sport alive and thriving.
The bridge at the put-in collected wood and debris, as slow-moving rivers often do. The water was shallow here so we had to pick a way through. I saw a few skeptical looks but everyone was sporting. Soon afterwards the water deepened and we left signs of development behind. Those not used to whitewater boats jitterbugged about, trying to keep them going straight in the slow current.
Our put-in was at the bottom of a deep bend in the river. Nearby is a state historical site, appropriately named House in the Horseshoe, the horseshoe being the river bend. A Revolutionary War skirmish was fought at the house as a band of British loyalists attacked a party of colonials based there. The site is closed presently undergoing a renovation.
The Deep at this level is lazily moving. The sun was our companion and we paddled in a steady, leisurely pace. This is good social paddling, a chance to make connections and exchange stories. Jim caught a three pound channel catfish, a very tasty supper for two. He rarely keeps more than a fish or two, whatever will make supper.
The Deep has seen lots of human activity. Along its 125 miles many endeavors and ambitions have had their day. A trip report is not the place to tell this story but I’ll list a few: wars, textile mills, dams, coal mines, industrialization, industrial accidents, ecological revitilization, dam removals, shale oil, data mines, court cases, trail development and more. The Deep has been a main street for the parade of human progress.
The river is. indeed, mostly deep, but we did hit some shallows. Luckily we had strong young hands willing to drag the lazy of us across the sticky points. We laugh and fuss and pole ourselves across, happy to be outside on such a beautiful day.
As we near the end we pass a point on river left where a Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp once occupied. It’s a little hard to imagine a boat ramp which typically services larger motor boats, taking up space on this shallow section. The reason lies ahead, the remains of the Carbonton Dam. The dam backed up water, creating a long pond deep enough for fishing boats. The dam is gone now, one of the several on the Deep taken down. The Ramseur Dam went down in January. The Lockville is soon to go.
Up ahead is the takeout on the right. From there we can see the remains of the Carbonton Dam power house. It’s a tall, pretty brick structure, made all the more striking by the colorful graffiti sprayed across its edifice. It’s probably posted; we didn’t enter it but obviously some do, artists and others.
Here we make our goodbyes and take a photo together. We’re a Deep gang, our blend of CCC and CKC. We hope to deepen the ties on more trips. Uwharrie, we’re coming.
A few of us with time to spare and a sweet tooth to assauge head to Southern Supreme, a fruitcake and dessert mecca in nearby Bear Creek. With parking for several tour buses and many cars this establishment sees droves during the holidays. Shortly before closing time our bedraggled group falls in to test the generous samples available and use the indoor plumbing. We purchase bricks of their delicious nutty fruitcake (great camping dessert, keeps forever and indestructible) and other sugary delights like pralines and brittle. A perfect way to end a paddle.