Chantal on the Haw
Chantal on the Haw
A Carolina Paddler article
Photography and Text by Alton Chewning
∞ Joe Berry and I paddled the upper Haw yesterday, a section from Saxapahaw to Union Bridge, about four miles. It wasn’t exactly a pleasure cruise, more of a reconnaissance. We planned to do the trip last week but high water and availability pushed us back. This excursion was set in motion by a phone call to Joe from another Joe, Joe Jacobs. Jacobs asked us to scout the section and give a post-Chantal report.
Jacobs has operated Haw River Canoe and Kayak in Saxapahaw for many years. The scope of this article is the paddle down the Haw. If you’d like to learn more about HRCK see this article or the many others available on the internet.
Another bit of background. Tropical Depression Chantal unleashed an unbelievable amount of water throughout the northern Piedmont flooding rivers like the Eno, Deep and the Haw. The previous high-water mark for the Haw was broken. Again, more information on this is readily available.
Joe and I met at the HRCK shop. A demolition crew was removing debris from inside the building and tearing down some of the outer framework. Joe scanned the lot for parking spaces free of nails and screws. We took a quick look at the river and headed to Union Bridge to leave a shuttle car.
I had been to Union Bridge the week before. The steep walkway down was largely intact, a few lower sections tossed to the downriver side.
The metal ramp was in good shape, and an eddy aided by upriver debris made for calm water at the take-out.
Back in Saxapahaw, I cautioned Joe we should stay away from the left bank after putting in. Heavy cables were suspended in the water.
Our general plan was to stay towards the middle of the river, avoiding the masses of fallen trees draped on the banks. The river was at a mild level, 850cfs. Rocks would not be our problem.
Everywhere banks were scoured, leaving raw, red earth bluffs from five to fifteen feet high. Surviving trees remained perched on the edge of these cliffs – for now.
In other places, chaotic sculptures of branches and trunks intertwined. Access to the banks was limited by this woody fencing.
A set of rapids provided a welcome relief to the constant yellow-red flow of the river and red, gray and green of the battered banks. The rocks of the river seemed more eternal, more immovable but many probably shifted in the pounding from the water.
A word about my companion, Joe. Berry is from Greensboro but the sixty miles are not what keep him from the Haw. He simply has no interest in the Haw River. 
Joe was raised in the CCC and certainly paddled Haw in the distant past but he now prefers more rigorous water to test his C-1. If big-bodied water like the Gauley isn’t available, then he’ll amble down the concrete corridors of the White Water Center in Charlotte.
The survey of blasted banks continues, the reddish-yellow of the river blending into ocher of the bluffs. To be honest, the water seems to be thinning, becoming less thickly mudded. Not clear by any means but clearing.
Some proud trees hang on the edge of the muddy cliffs, others have succumbed to gravity and the loss of root support.
Towering beauties like this elm (I think) are losing the battle and slowing bowing to the river.
Other elder members of the riverbank forest survive but carry the heavy load of the flood. Notice the center of the photo.
What force lifts a big trunk that high and locks it into the arms of another?
Still the day is beautiful, the sky a shimmering, a lacy backdrop to the still verdant and thriving forest. The enduring river hauls its mighty load of silt and sand to someplace far downriver.
Oddities abound. What’s that up in the tree?
Why, it’s an extension ladder, climbing to new heights! We see the other half of the ladder on the opposite bank hundreds of yards away.
A red object draws us closer. A vessel of some sort.
A canoe, pulled from its riverbank tether (we hope.)
Joe inspects underneath, no PFD’s or other disturbing detritus. Just a bent boat bottom.
We reach the takeout and scramble up to the remaining steps. We’ve made it down the Chantal Haw without incident.
A post at the top of the stairs asks if we noticed any issues. We’ll report if anything pops up in our digestive tracks in the coming days but we studiously avoiding all but the necessary contact with the Haw water. There were many things washed into the Haw during flood and it’s probably best to be conservative in approaching the river. I wouldn’t roll or swim if I could avoid it. Most folks may choose to avoid it altogether for the next few months.
Joe always develops a mild rash at the mention of the Haw so I don’t know when we’ll get him back here.
We saw two otters on our travels down and many large birds, mostly blue herons. Didn’t see a wealth of turtles but did observe a few sunning. Nature rebounds when given a chance.
Whenever you choose to return, the Haw will be there. The banks and trees will be there. The deep, rich waters will be there.
I am reminded of another small sign at the metal stairwell down to the put-in. I paraphrase:
Those barely hanging on trees will eventually succumb to gravity. Tough call as to whether to let them go in, root-ball and all, destroying more of the bank, or try to reduce the impact by cutting the tree early. But, then, what to do with the tree? May be best to just let nature take its course. Tuckasegee ( as seen during WOR 2025) has had increased sediment and habitat impacts this summer as contractors clear Helene debris and more. Controversial topic. Anyway, definitely an opportunity for stream-bank stabilization. thanks for the scouting mission and taking Joe somewhere that he doesn’t get his knuckles bloodied.