Roanoke River, Section 1

This is as far east as you’ll find good whitewater in North Carolina, and good whitewater it is. For one, it’s dependable: flow is controlled from a hydroelectric plant in Roanoke Rapids and ranges between 2,000 cfs and 20,000 cfs, depending upon the power needs du jour. (You can find the projected flow rates three days out here.) https://www.dom.com/about/stations/hydro/roanoke-rapids/projected-flow-releases.jsp

Even at minimum flow you can cash in on the Class III rapid at Weldon, Weldon Falls (Paul Ferguson says optimum flow for the rapid is 2,000-4,000 feet.) It comes near the take-out, consists of a drop on 6 to 7 feet in stages, and is best capitalized upon, for Class III purposes, by running Dumpster, a narrow slot river right. The area around the take-out is a popular play area: check out the action here. http://www.weldonnc.com/thingstoseedo/kayakingcanoeing.html

Different flow rates affect the run; for a good interpretation of what various flow rates mean to this stretch of river, check out Paul Ferguson’s “Paddling Eastern North Carolina” (see below), where you can also find a map and detailed access information.

More info:”Paddling Eastern North Carolina,” by Paul Ferguson, and here. http://www.weldonnc.com/thingstoseedo/kayakingcanoeing.html

Getting there from downtown Greenville

Photo: Weldon Falls area, photo courtesy Dominion.
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Rating: Class I-II, one III
Length: 5.7 miles
Drive: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Put-in: NC 48 access at Gaston
Latitude: 36.2902
Longitude: 77.3854
Take-out: US 301 access at Weldon’ River Falls Park
Latitude: 36.2585
Longitude: 77.3542
Time to complete: 2.5 hours (play area near take-out)
Gauge: USGS Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids
Minimum flow: always above minimum: release rates
City: Weldon
State: NC