Flat Shoal River - 2: Flat Shoals Bridge to Tanyard Bridge (SSR 37-24)


Flat Shoal River, South Carolina, US

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2: Flat Shoals Bridge to Tanyard Bridge (SSR 37-24)

Usual Difficulty I-III (for normal flows)
Length 3 Miles
Avg. Gradient 20 fpm

Blind-Slide


Blind-Slide
Photo of Kevin Miller by Will Reeves taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA
usgs-02177000 1.80 - 8.00 ft I-III 00h46m 1.68 ft (rc= -0.0 )


River Description

Flat Shoal is the bigger, more agressive cousin of the North Fork of the Little River. Local Clemson boaters advised running the Flat Shoal over the North Fork of the Little because the Little is fairly small, strainer filled, and unexciting. However, that being said, don't get too excited about Flat Shoal. The largest rapids are class III but the last drop can get pushy at really high water. Most of the run is wide. I did not see strainers on my one flood stage trip (Will Reeves).

There is no good reason to boat past the takeout bridge because the lake inundates the last few miles of the river, almost within sight of the bridge.

Directions:


StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2005-09-30 10:46:12

Put in rapid

Detail Trip Report  Put in rapid  Flat Shoal, SC(135.65KB .jpeg)

put in

Detail Trip Report  put in  Flat Shoal River, SC(41.18KB .jpeg)

Flat Shoal River

Detail Trip Report  Flat Shoal River  Flat Shoal River, SC(57.69KB .jpeg)

Flat Shoal starts

Detail Trip Report  Flat Shoal starts  Flat Shoal, SC(124.57KB .jpeg)

a drop below Blind Slide

Detail Trip Report  a drop below Blind Slide  Flat Shoal, SC(103.26KB .jpeg)

Tanyard Bridge Slide

Detail Trip Report  Tanyard Bridge Slide  Flat Shoal, SC(86.60KB .jpeg)

Flat Shoal (final)

Detail Trip Report  Flat Shoal (final)  Flat Shoal, SC(119.42KB .jpeg)

Flat Shoal (more)

Detail Trip Report  Flat Shoal (more)  Flat Shoal, SC(103.19KB .jpeg)

Blind-Slide

Detail Trip Report  Blind-Slide  Flat Shoal, SC(158.29KB .jpeg)

More of Flat Shoal

Detail Trip Report  More of Flat Shoal  Flat Shoal, SC(120.77KB .jpeg)

Flat Shoal

Detail Trip Report  Flat Shoal  Flat Shoal, SC(133.46KB .jpeg)


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

The guage is on the Chattooga and is a loose corrolation. Check the stick guage at the takeout on river right. 1.6 is probably a good minimum.
Visual gauge: If the slides at the take out and put in are boatable then the run is good to go.

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA
usgs-02177000 1.80 - 8.00 ft I-III 00h46m 1.68 ft (rc= -0.0 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
1.80 -8.00 ft barely runnable-high runnable I-III Upper limit for best boatability uncertain. Please help your fellow boaters with a comment or report.

Report - Reports of Flat Shoal River 2: Flat Shoals Bridge to Tanyard Bridge (SSR 37-24) and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Flat Shoal [SC] Put in rapid n/a will reeves
8y304d19h44m Flat Shoal [SC] Flat Shoal starts 1.6 will reeves
9y130d19h44m Flat Shoal River [SC] put in 337 cfs will reeves

WXPort

News





User Comments
2011-03-30 04:34:17 (319 days ago)
JasonKidd (152914)
Been wanting to paddle this Sec. for a while. Anyone up for taking me down? JB
2011-02-07 09:29:02 (370 days ago)
dark sideDetails
ran 2 6 11- no strainers 2.0 on chat gauge was accurate due to widespread rain days before. 2.0 was
lower runnable. had a few bony spots.
2005-09-30 10:31:35 (2326 days ago)
David ScullDetails
I tubed this section today (Labor Day) with some non-boater friends, and can report that there are
no remaining strainers that completely span the river. Everything that remains can be maneuvered
around. I would like to second Ron & Misti's opinion about the character of this run. This
river has great features for learning/sharpening your skills, is largely undeveloped, very scenic,
with an easy shuttle, putin and takeout.
2005-04-08 18:28:25 (2500 days ago)
ron and misti tolleyDetails
This is great run for skills building. Only problem is that is requires adequate rain. The best way
to determine if it is running is to scout the put-in or take out. The gauge relationship with the
Chattooga does not really correlate well since the drought ceased. The Chattooga watershed is much
larger, therefor it runs down much slower. When the river is running high, it is one of the best
local runs around. It offers a good mix of everything. When the water level is up it has alot of
great playspots. The upper is more challenging but has more flatwater after the first 1/4 mile.
Users can submit comments.

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Flat Shoals Bridge rapidIIPutin Photo
0.0Flat Shoals Bridge Rapid from downstreamIIPutin Photo
0.5Blind-SlideIIIHazard Photo
0.5Blind Slide moreII+Photo
3.0Final SlidesIIITakeout Hazard Playspot Photo
3.0Tanyard Bridge SlideIIITakeout Hazard Playspot Photo

Rapid Descriptions

Flat Shoals Bridge rapid (Class II)

put in

put in
Photo of Put in slide by Will Reeves taken 10/06/02 @ 337 cfs

The put in at Flat Shoals is a slide.

Flat Shoals Bridge Rapid from downstream (Class II, Mile 0.0)

Flat Shoal starts

Flat Shoal starts
Photo of Will Reeves by Kevin Miller taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

This is a view of the put in at low water from downstream.

Blind-Slide (Class III, Mile 0.5)

Blind-Slide

Blind-Slide
Photo of Kevin Miller by Will Reeves taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

After a half mile of fast flowing water the stream makes a left turn and dissapers over a blind drop. Blind-Slide can be run on both river left or right, but be aware that trees can block parts of the drop.

Blind Slide more (Class II+, Mile 0.5)

a drop below Blind Slide

a drop below Blind Slide
Photo of Will Reeves by Kevin Miller taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

After the first drop Blind Slide continues over more ledges.

Final Slides (Class III, Mile 3.0)

Flat Shoal (more)

Flat Shoal (more)
Photo of Kevin Miller by Will Reeves taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

The final three drops on the river are a series of sequential slides. All are easy but when combined they are a simple class III rapid.

Tanyard Bridge Slide (Class III, Mile 3.0)

Tanyard Bridge Slide

Tanyard Bridge Slide
Photo of Will Reeves by Kevin Miller taken 04/15/03 @ 1.6

This is the final drop on the river and the last of the takeous slides.


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 2: Flat Shoals Bridge to Tanyard Bridge (SSR 37-24), Flat Shoal River South Carolina, US (mobile)