The Dan River Basin Association’s (DRBA’s) April 5, First Saturday Outing will feature a section of the Dan River in Rockingham County for a paddle that will use a new access/takeout location between Mayodan and Eden. Long time DRBA volunteers Mark Bishopric and Tom Taylor will coordinate this 4.3 mile (2.5 hour) float past Eagle Falls Island and an area known locally as “the Bent” as spring comes to life along the river.
Participants will meet by 9 a.m. at the Settles Bridge Access, located off Settles Bridge Road at 290 Dan River Road. Dan River Road intersects Settles Bridge Road just south of the bridge and dead ends at the Rockingham County Public Access, to unload boats and gear and set the shuttle.
According to Bishopric, “The batteau era sluices and native American fish traps are readily visible along this stretch of river. This paddle will take out at the Rockingham Game Lands property, a project that started a few years ago with the 1,000-acre purchase by NC Department of Wildlife. The paddling access was sponsored by Duke Energy. This recently completed concrete access provides good parking, and less steep access than typically available on the piedmont stretches of the Dan River.”
Immediately after the paddle starts, there are two ledges, and batteau sluices, at just over a mile downstream when approaching Eagle Falls Island, with one larger ledge and related batteau era stonework for sluices. Another mile downstream, as the river passes tributaries Rockhouse Creek and Roach Creek, “Reese’s Rock” jumps out of the river on the right-hand side. After a few more batteau sluices and 1.5 miles downstream, we will enter the “NC Game Lands” property bordering the south side of the river and reach our takeout point.
At normal water levels, this section offers mostly calm waters and Bishopric considers this stretch of the river “novice friendly with one small drop as the river passes Eagle Falls Island.”
Along with natural ledges, paddlers will pass V-shaped fish traps, used for centuries by Native Americans and European settlers to channel fish into nets or baskets during their annual spawning runs.
After loading boats at the Game Lands access, participants will truly be in the center of Rockingham County, depending on the participants route home, you are 5-8 miles away from Eden, Madison, Mayodan, Reidsville or Wentworth and you may enjoy having lunch or visiting a site in these communities. Visit https://www.visitrockingham.com/ for more information.
Additional interesting facts about this river section’s history, culture, and nearby attractions are found in Maps 51 – 52 of DRBA’s publication, “An Insider’s Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia,” available at ShopDRBA. https://www.danriver.org/support-drba/shop/shop-our-products
Participants in the outing are asked to provide boat and paddles, life jacket, lunch and water, and to dress in layers of artificial (quick drying) fabric or wool. All participants must sign a waiver prior to the event.
For trip information, contact trip coordinators Bishopric at (336) 627-6204 or email markb@irvineriver.com or Taylor at (336) 402-6100.
Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
