Canoeing Information Updates before 2002

Updates from 2002 and before

This page contains canoe trips and other information from 2002 and before. It is in chronological order with the most recent at the top.

11/17/2002 - Turkey-Stevens Creek - Level: 3.7

We put-in at Keys Bridge on Turkey Creek and paddled down to Highway 23 on Stevens Creek. The water level was very good with the shoals well covered but not washed out. There was a large tree, including root system, down in the middle of the first shoals. But at this water level we could get over what would normally be rocks on the left side of the tree. The normal run on the right side of the tree would have been tight but probably doable.

Click for pictures
Turkey-Stevens Creek

6/29/2002 - North Edisto River - Level: 1.5

We put-in at Baughman's Landing and paddled down through the Edisto Rose Garden in Orangeburg. With the water level so low, we expected a lot of pull-overs, but only had a few. However, there were quite a few places where we had to fight our way through the tops of recently downed trees. A very wicked thunderstorm came up, forcing us to get off the river and set up a canoe for shelter back in the swamp. For about thirty minutes we sat through lots of very close Lightning strikes, booming thunder, hail and about 2 inches of much needed rain. Back on the river after the storm we soon came to a Lightning struck tree. Then we came to a city storm drain which turned the tannin-colored river to a murky brown and raised the water level by 1.5 feet. We saw Prothonotary Warblers, Louisianna Waterthrushes, a Barred Owl and a Cardinal flower already in full bloom.

Click for pictures
North Edisto

4/13/2002 - Phinizy Nature Park - Level: 2.5 on Butler Creek

We paddled down Butler Creek through the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on an exploratory trip for the park. We put-in on Butler Creek between the Mayor's Fishing Hole and the Highway and took-out at the Levee. Butler creek was choked with matted Water Primrose a lot of the way, making the trip strenuous. There were also about 8 places where trees completely blocked the creek. We paddled over at least 3 beaver dams and saw about 8 beaver huts. Snowbell and Witherod were blooming along the creek. We also saw an Osprey, 7 Cottonmouths, 2 Brown Water Snakes, Wood Ducks, Snipe, Anhinga, and Prothonotary Warblers.

Click for pictures
Phinizy Swamp

2/01/2002 - North Edisto - Level: 3.3 at Orangeburg

We paddled the North Edisto River from Baughman's Landing to the Edisto Rose Garden(Hwy 301) with a visitor from Isle of Man, England. The river was high enough that we had only one downed tree to tote around. There were lots of other trees down that we had to maneuver around. We saw Deer, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Hermit Thrushes, a Winter Wren and other birds, as well as a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks and a Cooper's Hawk. Golden Club (Never-wet) and Red Maple were already blooming.

Click for pictures
North Edisto

1/27/2002 - South Edisto - Level: 8.2 at Cope

We paddled the South Edisto River from Claude's Landing (just below hwy 321) to Bobcat Landing (hwy 301). With the recent rain, the river was high enough that we had only one downed tree to lift over. However, as expected on this small and winding section, we had to do a lot of manuevering in swift current. We saw a few deer, lots of Wood Ducks and several Hooded Mergansers.

Click for pictures
S Edisto

12/15/2001 - South Edisto/Aiken State Park - Level: 7.9 at Cope

We paddled from Aiken State Park up the South Edisto River to Highway 302 and back. With the recent rain, the river was high enough that we had no problems until well above Shaw Branch. From there, we had about a dozen log jams to go over or under. It was worse the closer we got to highway 302.

Click for pictures
S Edisto/Aiken State Park

11/3-4/2001 - Edisto River/Beidler Forest

We paddled on the Main Stem of the Edisto River from Givhans Ferry State Park to Long Creek Landing, about 8.4 miles. With the river being very low, most of the way we could see the bottom a few feet below us. We were treated to an Osprey flying overhead. The next morning we paddled Mallard Lake in Four Holes Swamp. Part of this lake is in Audubon's Beidler Forest, which features a large virgin cypress swamp. However, with the water so low, we were not able to get very far into the swamp. But on the lake we saw lots of wood ducks and a family of 5 very playful otters.

Click for pictures
Edisto/Beidler

9/22-23/2001 - Stevens Creek - Lake

We started paddling early at Sportsman's Corner. There was still mist on the water making the creek very beautiful. We immediately saw an Anhinga (Water Turkey, Snakebird) spreading its wings to dry. We also saw wood ducks, about a hundred buzzards roosting along the creek, and an Osprey. We took out at the boat ramp near the dam. This section is all lake paddling. Even though the creeks are low, this section still has plenty of water.

Click for pictures
Stevens Lake

9/22-23/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 8.3 at Cope

We paddled with three different goups on the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. Even though the Cope gauge shows a high level, the water was only a few inches up on the end support of the put-in dock. The water from the week's rains must have already passed through Aiken State Park. There were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. The Cardinal Flower appears to be about through blooming. We were provided with 4 opportunities to rescue on Saturday. Fortunately it was a beautiful, warm day.

Click for pictures
Aiken State Park

9/09/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 7.6 at Cope

We paddled with a girl scout troop on the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. We saw one small Cottonmouth but I bet the girls scared it (and all other wildlife) into the next county (it was really moving the last time we saw it). There were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. The Big Pine just before the bridge had just enough water over it for everyone to slide over. There were still lots of Cardinal Flower and Macbridea blooming.

Click for pictures
Aiken State Park

9/03/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 7.6 at Cope

We paddled the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. We started out going upstream, but did not get far because of trees down across the river. However, there were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. There were lots of Cardinal Flower and Macbridea blooming.

Click for pictures
Aiken State Park

8/26/2001 - Augusta Canal

We paddled the Augusta Canal from the head to Lake Olmsted. The canal was higher than we have seen it in a long time. We saw Brown Water Snakes, Cottonmouths, a muskrat, and lots of turtles. Lots of Cardinal Flower was blooming as well as Virgins Bower and Jewelweed. Water Primrose has nearly choked out Lake Warren, leaving only a clear trail where the main creek goes through. We saw only a few Water Hyacinths.

Click for pictures
Augusta Canal

7/14/2001 - North Edisto River- Level: 3.8

We paddled the North Edisto River from Baughman's Landing to the Edisto Rose Gardens in Orangeburg. The river had more downed trees than usual, probably newly fallen from the recent storms. Twice we had to tote around trees which completely blocked the river. There were several places where we had to go through curtains of Poison Ivy stretched across the river. Then, as soon as we could find a suitable sand bottom, we swam to wash the Poison Ivy off. Some even swam unexpectedly. We saw lots of Brown Water Snakes and heard lots of birds singing.

Click for pictures
North Edisto River

7/6/2001 - Turkey/Stevens Creek- Level: 2.1

With the storms this week, we decided to try paddling Turkey/Stevens creek from Keys Bridge down to Modoc. However, the creeks had already gone down and were very rocky. The creeks were passable without hitting rocks but our river reading skills were really tested. This is probably the first time we have paddled the creeks after the trees have fully leaved out. It was very different and pretty with all the greenery.

Click for pictures
Modoc Bridge

6/8/2001 - Broad River- Level: 2.9 above Carlton

The Broad River was at a good level, though very muddy. Being a Friday, overcast, and rainy, we pretty much had the river to ourselves. As we approached the island and falls, the rain really came down, making the river absolutely gorgeous.

Click for pictures
Broad River

5/28/2001 - Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies II

Once again we paddled the Canal and Savannah River to see the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. We also saw Brown Water Snakes and a couple of Cottonmouths, one trying to swallow a dead banded water snake that was bigger than it (maybe because it was bloated).

Click for pictures

5/25/2001 - Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies

The Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in the Savannah River were in full bloom. We put into the Canal at its head and paddled down below I-20 to the grassy opening. There we portaged over the tow path to the Savannah River. The most Spider Lilies are on the South Carolina side of the first Island below I-20.

Click for pictures

5/19/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 3.5 at Denmark, 7.1 at Cope

The South Edisto River through Aiken State Park was very low. Thanks to the park's work to clear the river, only the big pine tree before the bridge presented a problem. However, those who missed the knots in the pine were able to slide over. Brown Water Snakes and two big Water Mocassins were seen.

Click for pictures
Aiken State Park

3/23/2001 - Upper Stevens creek - Level: 3.5

After another good rain, some of us ran this section. The creek was runnable but rocky. Another foot probably would have been a better run. This section features large boulders in the creek and two places have nearly vertical rock walls.

Click for pictures
Upper Stevens Creek

3/10/2001 - Turkey/Stevens creek - Level: 2.4

After the rain last Saturday (3rd), Stevens Creek went from 2.0 feet Saturday afternoon to 20.1 feet on Sunday Afternoon. The level was below 3.0 feet by the 7th. Saturday the 10th it was holding at 2.4 feet. We put-in at Keys bridge and paddled to Modoc. The creeks were runnable, but with lots of rocks and very restricted runs clear of rocks. We only hit a few rocks and had an enjoyable day. We got close to some Wood Ducks and an Otter. Fish could be seen darting by just below the water surface.

Other Trips

11/17/2002 - Turkey-Stevens Creek - Level: 3.7 We put-in at Keys Bridge on Turkey Creek and paddled down to Highway 23 on Stevens Creek. The water level was very good with the shoals well covered but not washed out. There was a large tree, including root system, down in the middle of the first shoals. But at this water level we could get over what would normally be rocks on the left side of the tree. The normal run on the right side of the tree would have been tight but probably doable.	Click for pictures
6/29/2002 - North Edisto River - Level: 1.5 We put-in at Baughman's Landing and paddled down through the Edisto Rose Garden in Orangeburg. With the water level so low, we expected a lot of pull-overs, but only had a few. However, there were quite a few places where we had to fight our way through the tops of recently downed trees. A very wicked thunderstorm came up, forcing us to get off the river and set up a canoe for shelter back in the swamp. For about thirty minutes we sat through lots of very close Lightning strikes, booming thunder, hail and about 2 inches of much needed rain. Back on the river after the storm we soon came to a Lightning struck tree. Then we came to a city storm drain which turned the tannin-colored river to a murky brown and raised the water level by 1.5 feet. We saw Prothonotary Warblers, Louisianna Waterthrushes, a Barred Owl and a Cardinal flower already in full bloom.	Click for pictures
4/13/2002 - Phinizy Nature Park - Level: 2.5 on Butler Creek We paddled down Butler Creek through the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on an exploratory trip for the park. We put-in on Butler Creek between the Mayor's Fishing Hole and the Highway and took-out at the Levee. Butler creek was choked with matted Water Primrose a lot of the way, making the trip strenuous. There were also about 8 places where trees completely blocked the creek. We paddled over at least 3 beaver dams and saw about 8 beaver huts. Snowbell and Witherod were blooming along the creek. We also saw an Osprey, 7 Cottonmouths, 2 Brown Water Snakes, Wood Ducks, Snipe, Anhinga, and Prothonotary Warblers.	Click for pictures
2/01/2002 - North Edisto - Level: 3.3 at Orangeburg We paddled the North Edisto River from Baughman's Landing to the Edisto Rose Garden(Hwy 301) with a visitor from Isle of Man, England. The river was high enough that we had only one downed tree to tote around. There were lots of other trees down that we had to maneuver around. We saw Deer, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Hermit Thrushes, a Winter Wren and other birds, as well as a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks and a Cooper's Hawk. Golden Club (Never-wet) and Red Maple were already blooming.	Click for pictures
1/27/2002 - South Edisto - Level: 8.2 at Cope We paddled the South Edisto River from Claude's Landing (just below hwy 321) to Bobcat Landing (hwy 301). With the recent rain, the river was high enough that we had only one downed tree to lift over. However, as expected on this small and winding section, we had to do a lot of manuevering in swift current. We saw a few deer, lots of Wood Ducks and several Hooded Mergansers.	Click for pictures
12/15/2001 - South Edisto/Aiken State Park - Level: 7.9 at Cope We paddled from Aiken State Park up the South Edisto River to Highway 302 and back. With the recent rain, the river was high enough that we had no problems until well above Shaw Branch. From there, we had about a dozen log jams to go over or under. It was worse the closer we got to highway 302.	Click for pictures
11/3-4/2001 - Edisto River/Beidler Forest We paddled on the Main Stem of the Edisto River from Givhans Ferry State Park to Long Creek Landing, about 8.4 miles. With the river being very low, most of the way we could see the bottom a few feet below us. We were treated to an Osprey flying overhead. The next morning we paddled Mallard Lake in Four Holes Swamp. Part of this lake is in Audubon's Beidler Forest, which features a large virgin cypress swamp. However, with the water so low, we were not able to get very far into the swamp. But on the lake we saw lots of wood ducks and a family of 5 very playful otters.	Click for pictures
9/22-23/2001 - Stevens Creek - Lake We started paddling early at Sportsman's Corner. There was still mist on the water making the creek very beautiful. We immediately saw an Anhinga (Water Turkey, Snakebird) spreading its wings to dry. We also saw wood ducks, about a hundred buzzards roosting along the creek, and an Osprey. We took out at the boat ramp near the dam. This section is all lake paddling. Even though the creeks are low, this section still has plenty of water.	Click for pictures
9/22-23/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 8.3 at Cope We paddled with three different goups on the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. Even though the Cope gauge shows a high level, the water was only a few inches up on the end support of the put-in dock. The water from the week's rains must have already passed through Aiken State Park. There were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. The Cardinal Flower appears to be about through blooming. We were provided with 4 opportunities to rescue on Saturday. Fortunately it was a beautiful, warm day.	Click for pictures
9/09/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 7.6 at Cope We paddled with a girl scout troop on the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. We saw one small Cottonmouth but I bet the girls scared it (and all other wildlife) into the next county (it was really moving the last time we saw it). There were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. The Big Pine just before the bridge had just enough water over it for everyone to slide over. There were still lots of Cardinal Flower and Macbridea blooming.	Click for pictures
9/03/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 7.6 at Cope We paddled the South Edisto River in Aiken State Park. We started out going upstream, but did not get far because of trees down across the river. However, there were no pull overs in the section from the put-in to the cabin. There were lots of Cardinal Flower and Macbridea blooming.	Click for pictures
8/26/2001 - Augusta Canal We paddled the Augusta Canal from the head to Lake Olmsted. The canal was higher than we have seen it in a long time. We saw Brown Water Snakes, Cottonmouths, a muskrat, and lots of turtles. Lots of Cardinal Flower was blooming as well as Virgins Bower and Jewelweed. Water Primrose has nearly choked out Lake Warren, leaving only a clear trail where the main creek goes through. We saw only a few Water Hyacinths.	Click for pictures
7/14/2001 - North Edisto River- Level: 3.8 We paddled the North Edisto River from Baughman's Landing to the Edisto Rose Gardens in Orangeburg. The river had more downed trees than usual, probably newly fallen from the recent storms. Twice we had to tote around trees which completely blocked the river. There were several places where we had to go through curtains of Poison Ivy stretched across the river. Then, as soon as we could find a suitable sand bottom, we swam to wash the Poison Ivy off. Some even swam unexpectedly. We saw lots of Brown Water Snakes and heard lots of birds singing.	Click for pictures
7/6/2001 - Turkey/Stevens Creek- Level: 2.1 With the storms this week, we decided to try paddling Turkey/Stevens creek from Keys Bridge down to Modoc. However, the creeks had already gone down and were very rocky. The creeks were passable without hitting rocks but our river reading skills were really tested. This is probably the first time we have paddled the creeks after the trees have fully leaved out. It was very different and pretty with all the greenery.	Click for pictures
6/8/2001 - Broad River- Level: 2.9 above Carlton The Broad River was at a good level, though very muddy. Being a Friday, overcast, and rainy, we pretty much had the river to ourselves. As we approached the island and falls, the rain really came down, making the river absolutely gorgeous.	Click for pictures
5/28/2001 - Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies II Once again we paddled the Canal and Savannah River to see the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. We also saw Brown Water Snakes and a couple of Cottonmouths, one trying to swallow a dead banded water snake that was bigger than it (maybe because it was bloated).	Click for pictures
5/25/2001 - Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies The Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in the Savannah River were in full bloom. We put into the Canal at its head and paddled down below I-20 to the grassy opening. There we portaged over the tow path to the Savannah River. The most Spider Lilies are on the South Carolina side of the first Island below I-20.	Click for pictures
5/19/2001 - Aiken State Park - Level: 3.5 at Denmark, 7.1 at Cope The South Edisto River through Aiken State Park was very low. Thanks to the park's work to clear the river, only the big pine tree before the bridge presented a problem. However, those who missed the knots in the pine were able to slide over. Brown Water Snakes and two big Water Mocassins were seen.	Click for pictures
3/23/2001 - Upper Stevens creek - Level: 3.5 After another good rain, some of us ran this section. The creek was runnable but rocky. Another foot probably would have been a better run. This section features large boulders in the creek and two places have nearly vertical rock walls.	Click for pictures
3/10/2001 - Turkey/Stevens creek - Level: 2.4 After the rain last Saturday (3rd), Stevens Creek went from 2.0 feet Saturday afternoon to 20.1 feet on Sunday Afternoon. The level was below 3.0 feet by the 7th. Saturday the 10th it was holding at 2.4 feet. We put-in at Keys bridge and paddled to Modoc. The creeks were runnable, but with lots of rocks and very restricted runs clear of rocks. We only hit a few rocks and had an enjoyable day. We got close to some Wood Ducks and an Otter. Fish could be seen darting by just below the water surface.