Augusta Canal by Dennis Catoe

Paddlers(8): Dennis Catoe, trip leader, Jonathan Baker, Tim Baker, Tony Negron (guest of the Bakers), Venay Reece (with her dog "Bear"), Geoffrey Bonham, Archie Sherre, and Kim Sheffler.

Conditions: Weather was sunny, 80s, nice breeze. Water was 4000 cfs on Savannah. Canal had nice current for first 2 miles; faster than last couple trips. Trip took about 3 hours including lunch break.

Summary: Plant sale was going on at the put-in park but caused no parking problem. Pleasant trip for all. Joy to see Venay paddle with her dog "Bear" who stood on the deck of her wooden kayak for most of trip when he wasn't napping in the cockpit. See photos on web site. We were able to catch up at lunch with the whitewater paddlers of our simultaneous trip on the Savannah River. After the paddle, several of us went to Shealys BBQ in Leesville to top off a great paddle and fun day, except maybe for Mike Hollis who had a flat tire on the way to Shealys. Still I got to get him in the exit door ahead of the long waiting line (with permission of management) and treated him to a free meal. After all, we paddlers look out for each other.

Savannah River by Mike Hollis

The Savannah River trip paddlers were Spencer and Jean Rice, Linda Grey, Elona Rhane, Dave and Diane Mullis, Keith and Leah Hall, Mike Hollis and one one new member who's name is lost. The weather was in the low 80's and there was a nice wind blowing. After unloading our boats and the Augusta Canal Park we made the trip over to N. Augusta, SC and left our vehicles at the River Front Park. Linda Grey hauled all of us back to the Canal and we were on the water before Dennis's group." Last one in is a rotten egg" was my salute of our fellow paddlers waiting for their shuttlers. Everyone was soon on the water and waiting for yours truly to get my spray skirt on. After a few minutes fiddling around I was finally ready to go. Thanks to the walkers for their sarcastic clapping once I was ready. We made the short trip to the South Carolina side of the river and were on our way down stream. After a little rock hopping we made our way to the lunch spot below the I-20 bridge. We were joined at the lunch spot by a large contingent of dogs and their owners running all about. We set up for lunch, Dennis and his group soon joined us for lunch. We were able to get one of the locals help us with the lunch pictures and after a making plans for the after paddle meal both groups headed back to their waterways. Our trip include several small rapids that everyone was able to get over and around without too much trouble despite my path finding. The last rapid before the take out is the largest but with the low water level everyone was able to make it without anyone swimming. We all agreed that it would be a real great time if the water level had been a foot or so higher. We were soon at the take out and loaded up. Geofrey, Elona, Dave and Diane, Dennis and I meet at the South Carolina rest area and made our way to Shealy's BBQ is Batesburg. Several miles before the exit I had a blow out on the driver's side front tire. It was fairly uneventful all things considered. I would have had the spare on in about 10 or 15 minutes if I had read the owners manual on how to drop the spare tire. Hint: put the square in first. Dennis was able to work a deal with the good folks at Shealy's and I was able to bypass the line out the door. Thanks a thousand times to Dennis.

The Savannah River side of the trip was 5.70 miles. The moving time was 1.49 hours, and we stopped for 1.14 hours. The total time on the trip was 3.04 hours and the moving time was 3.1 mph. The water discharge was around 4500 cfs and the gage height was 1.75 feet. A little more water would make for a longer trip much like the Zoo to Gervais Street trip here in Columbia. A big thanks to Dennis for setting the trip up and all of the paddlers that were able to make the trip.

Trip Photos