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information about paddling on the Lower Saluda River in Columbia, SC canoe outfitting page paddling links(especially Canoe / C-1 related) trip reports
The Lower Saluda
The Lower Saluda flows 10 miles from the dam at Lake Murray to the confluence with the Broad River, where they form the Congaree. On it's way it crosses SC's fall line, forming a number of rapids and good playspots. It also wends it's way through a number of of historical sites, the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and some beautiful scenery that you would not expect to find so close to a metropolitan area.
As a playboater, the rapids near the Zoo (Millrace and Pop-Up Hole) and convenient parking make for a great after work "park and play" opportunity. From the extreme right hand end of the parking lot a path leads to a put in below the Pop-Up hole (class II w/ good pour over playspot) and the downstream end of the portage path around the Millrace (III/IV). Carry up the portage path and paddle upstream 1/4 mile to Stacy's Ledge (II/III) then come back and eddy hop your way through the Millrace (stay left until you know your way around...). At higher flows (>10,000 cfs), stop and play at Fisherman's Rock then continue back down to the Pop-Up Hole area. A float downstream past the remains of "Sherman's Bridge" takes you to Shandon (Class II) that has a portage path on river right allowing you to carry back up to paddle back to your car (possible at flows <3,000 cfs). If you want a longer float, you can set shuttle and run a variety of trips up to the full 10 miles.
The only place that slalom gates have been hung on the Saluda are in a flat water channel near Shandon rapid, to the left of the island that defines "river left" for normal runs. These can be accessed from the extreme left (South) end of the Zoo parking lot. Unfortunately, there are now no serious "racer heads" in town to keep the level of interest required to maintain them and they have fallen into disrepair.
Some Saluda River links :
This site provides a wealth of interesting information about the Saluda, including a handy map : SC DNR's Lower Saluda Scenic River Page
This is also interesting : SC DNR River Conservation Programs
AWA Guide to the section in Columbia
Riverbanks Zoo (primary access point)
Parkin Hunter's pages for Saluda River Information , Saluda Hydro Relicensing and Sewage Discharges
A discussion forum : The Saluda River Paddlers Message Board
The USGS maintains two Gauges on the Saluda between the Lake Murray Dam and where the Saluda and the Broad rivers confluence and form the Congaree. The gauge at the dam is about 6 miles upstream from the Zoo; since it takes from 2-3 hours for water there to reach the Zoo, the 3:15pm reading is a good predictor for after work paddling sessions. Levels range from 300 CFS to 20,000 +, look for a level of at least 1,000 to make a trip from out of town worthwile. The power company provides a toll-free hotline with daily projections on discharge - look for at least two turbines, if they say five, call me! The number is 1-800-830-LAKE (5253).
Saluda River gauge readings on the web :Note : the USGS readings are updated every 4 hours (7am, 11am,1pm,3pm...) and are usually updated within 2 hours (ie the 3pm reading is available around 4:30pm).
DNR pages for the same gauges:
Note: The DNR readings are frequently > 4 hrs old..
Changes last made on: 23-Jan-2002