Dam river or shoals are a pain in the

Dam river or shoals are a pain in the . . .

But, I get ahead of myself.

I went kayaking today. Landsford Canal to Hwy 9. There are two trips I wanted to take this year, this one and the much longer River Park to Landsford Canal.

This would not make my “Favorites” list. Good night!

I arrived at Landsford Canal and as I was unloading my gear I saw the Ranger and told him my plans. He told me that the first two miles was very rocky (shoals) and then “it will be like you are paddling on a lake.” He was right on both counts!

The Catawba River is controlled by the Lake Wylie Dam. During the week they keep the river very low and release water every Saturday at 10:30 am. Landsford Canal is 25 miles from the dam and he said it cold take 8 hours for the water to reach this part of the river. So I had very shallow water. Sometimes maybe 6 inches! I got stuck on rocks a lot!

You see the arrow? Yeah, well, I saw the red but couldn't see the arrow (covered by branches) until I was at this point. I am stuck on a rock as I take the photograph. Ironic, right?

Most folks think of rocks as inanimate objects. I’m not so sure about that. And actually, I’m beginning to think that river rocks are bad tempered ogres. I am persuaded they are angry because they are stuck in the water; under the water. These rocks grab you. They hide, then BAM! Grab your kayak. And hold on to it. And the river is in on it, too, because often the current casts you right into the grasp of a hiding rock and you are stuck.

I’ve had several run-ins with shoals. Always the same. I made it past this section. You see, the rocks are angry but not evil. They delight in harassing you but not harming you.

After my escape from the shoals the water was much nicer and deeper. And it was like paddling on a lake. You see, the Wateree Dam is not too far from this point and I was entering Lake Wateree. I had previously thought it began a few miles down river, but the current is noticeably slowed down here. It was beautiful but a lot of work paddling. This trip was a work out!

I will not do this trip again, unless I know the water is much higher, but I wanted to do it and now I have. Now to plan the River Park to Landsford Canal trip. Today’s trip was 5+ miles. River Park to Landsford is about 18 miles and said to be much nicer.