Join the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) on Saturday, September 6, for a 7-mile paddle on the Dan River from the Dan River Game Lands Boat Launch to the Leaksville Wildlife Access in Eden, N.C. Participants will meet at the put-in at 9 a.m. to unload boats and set the shuttle. This paddle is suitable for beginning paddlers with no rapids more difficult than Class I rapids. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
There are numerous batteau sluices along this entire paddle, starting Whetstone Creek and Galloway’s lower ford, downstream 2 miles from the put-in. Just above the lNC 770 US 311 (Loop Road) bridge, Buffalo Creek joins from river left. One mile below the Loop Road Bridge, Matrimony Creek joins the Dan, river left at Eden’s most upstream river access on the Dan (Klyce Street Access). From there we will go past Leaksville Landing Access, a state historic site, go under Hamilton Street Bridge and go past the stacked Stone Tower from the 1832 covered Bridge that stands in the middle of the river at the south end of Eden’s Bridge Street. Just downstream, the Smith River joins the Dan coming from the Virginia Mountains on its journey downstream back into Virginia. After the confluence of the Smith and Dan Rivers, the paddle will conclude, river right, at the Leaksville Wildlife Access, a NC Wildlife Public Access point.
Participants must supply their own boat, paddles, life jackets, water and lunch. Please wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (cotton or denim is not recommended); and we recommend a towel, and a back-up change of clothing for the ride home. To participate with the DRBA group on this outing, all participants will be required to sign a waiver.
Put-in
The put-in is located at 498 Woodpecker Road, Eden, NC, (GPS Coordinates: 36.43390,
-79.79730). From the intersection of Hwy 311 and Hwy NC 87, travel approximately 1.2 miles south and turn right on to Riverside Circle. Travel 1.3 miles west and turn left onto Woodpecker Road. Travel 0.4 miles on Woodpecker Road and then turn right onto a gravel drive. The boat launch is located approximately another 0.5 miles at the end of the gravel drive.
Take-out
The take-out is located at 587 Bethlehem Church Rd, Eden, NC 27288 (GPS Coordinates 36.47530, -79.75038).
For more information, contact the outing coordinator Mark Bishopric at 336-627 6204 or email markb@spraycotton.com
If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit our calendar on www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, September 5 for additional information.
