flows into). Kerr Scott Reservoir is in Wilkesboro and is a pristine, lesser known lake with views of the Brushy Mountains, enchant- ing backwaters (that if you are quiet and lucky, you may see baby beavers at just the right time of year), and large wild mountain goats). The Yadkin flows through Winston Salem, Statesville, Lexington and Salisbury. It is very popular for fishing and has two federally endangered species of fish and mussels (the shortnose Sturgeon, and the Carolina Heelsplitter) and five recently added state endangered species. You won’t find big rapids on the Yadkin any longer; what was once known as the “largest whitewater” in the Southeast has long been drowned when they dammed the river for hydropower. The “Yadkin Narrows” is now underwater at Falls Reservoir near Badin, NC. The falls were so forceful that it was only second to Niagara Falls. (www.yadkinriverkeeper. org/about-river) This river is heavily dammed, and the river in its great en-


tirety was written about and padded in the 1920’s, before the dams were to be built. If you want to read about it, here's a great book: “Yadkin Passage” by Floyd Rogers.


Deep River The Deep River begins near the Haw actually, east of Kern-


ersville and flows through High Point, Jamestown and farther on to re-enter the Haw. The Deep is 125 miles long and has several newer State Parks and natural areas being constructed including Deep River State Trail (https://www.ncpedia.org/deep-river-state- trail)and of very special interest, Endor Iron Furnace, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a 35 ft. structure next to the river. I remember, and perhaps you do as well, before dam construction began on the Deep to form Randle- man Reservoir. It was much contested, but built finally to provide


drinking water for Greensboro for the next 50 years (www.wiki- pedia.org). My favorites that the Deep River provides is High Point City Lake and Southeast Park on Randleman Reservoir where only non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, trolling motors) can launch, which ensures a quiet and peaceful day on the water…. you can paddle for a ways up the Deep towards High Point also. If you want to float it and see the furnace, contact: http://www. froghollowoutdoors.com/exploring-nc-paddle-trips/deep-river.


If you didn’t love rivers already, hopefully some of these lo-


cal Triad rivers have piqued your interest. You don’t have to boat them, you can hike next to them, drive to them and just look at them, or just sit near them and listen to the river chatter and talk. Next month is the final part of “Water in the Triad” and it


will include the creeks and streams that make our rivers, lakes, our drinking water and ultimately end up either in an estuary or the ocean. What happens to that water that goes down our sinks, toilets, and storm water drains? Why should we care? Part 3 in the series will tie together why it’s so important that each of us CARE about where our water comes from, where it is going and what happens to it on its journey. In the meantime, May is a fantastic month to explore our rivers, so what are you waiting for?


Additional resources: “Paddling Eastern NC Rivers” by Paul Ferguson


www.ncparks.gov/find-an-activity/boating-and-paddling www.trails.com/north-carolina/flatwater-paddling-canoeing


https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/ trails-greenways/hiking-trails


GET:OUTDOORS Paddlesports (women’s specific river classes) www.facebook.com/getoutdoorswomenonthewater


Tarheel Paddling Association: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ TPApaddle/


Carolina Canoe Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cccpad- dler/


Additonal nearby rivers to note: Smith, Mayo, Ararat, Uwharrie


JoAndra (Jo) Proia is the Outdoor Writer for Natural Triad. Her writing has been published in several outdoor magazines and she pub- lished her first guidebook “Piedmont Lakes” in the spring of 2017. She is an ACA Certified Kayak Instructor and Guide with GET:OUTOORS WOMEN ON THE WATER, a kayak shop in Greensboro. She can be reached at jo.proia@naturaltriad.com or LIKE her page at www.facebook.com/getoutdoorswomenon- thewater


You can also find her book free at


Kathleen Clay Edwards Library, at Get:Outdoors Paddlesports, order it online at www.shopgetoutdoors.com, at Scuppernong books in Greensboro or Wild Birds Unlimited in Greensboro.


24 NaturalTriad.com


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