On Monday 6-2-25 a group of experienced paddlers and I ran this 14 mile section [between Coxe Rd Access and 211 River Access] and had a wonderful time. The water level, river conditions, weather, and friends made this a great day that we’ll want to repeat regularly. We paddled at a steady, easy pace and didn’t feel over tired at the end. From the put in to the confluence with the Green we didn’t portage, bump over logs, or limbo under low branches. We’d brought hand saws but never needed them. There were a reasonable amounts of zig zagging around or between low and downed trees, with good paths always visible. I wish I could say we had no swims, but I paddled into a large branch stub just at water level and spilled. Within moments, I’d bobbed up, one friend was there to tow me to a nearby gravel bar, another took my kayak there, and a third retrieved my favorite hat. It really pays to paddle with an experienced team! Once we met the Green, we had no issues with trees. You both know this section has a nice mix of moving flatwater and mostly easy class one rock features. At this level, there was only one that was a two, and that didn’t give us any trouble. The access at 221 is a great improvement that puts this section back in play for me. Our experience might have been very different at higher or lower water levels. You already know that. My judgement is that the current warnings about paddling this section are valid. A group with good boat control, river reading ability, rescue skills, and teamwork should be able to handle any difficulties on this run. Hope this was interesting, and maybe useful. And thanks again for all the work ROC and Mountain True do for our rivers. Clare

UPDATE GRAY'S TO COXE: We paddled this section with a group on May 31st and found some new obstacles. Approximately 0.5 miles from the access was a multiple large tree blockage. The team cleared some limbs with hand saws and loppers, but this blockage will require more work. This blockage created fast currents and obstacles which will require immense caution and quick maneuverability. There were additional new woody debris piles, hanging trees, and strainers since our first paddle, this is likely due to the amount of rain and wind we have received.

We paddled Poor's Ford to 221, we found this section to be clear of blockages. There were some hanging trees, but this section is pretty wide which left ample room to paddle around. There was a debris pile up close to Jack McKinney Bridge that was a combination of woody debris and old metal that seemed to be from a bridge, this debris lines the river bank and should not cause any obstacle. There were some rapids that require quick maneuverability. This section had some metal roofing, tires, and household debris. This section was highly paddlable requiring little hazard (blockage/debris/hanging trees) maneuverability.

We paddled Rock Springs Church Rd to River Road on May 15th. We found these sections to be overall easy to paddle with minor obstacles and blockages, with few quick maneuvers. There is one complete blockage approx. 3.18 miles from Rock Springs Church Rd (passage is now possible to the left of a large boulder, however, the passage is narrow as the river splits around a large boulder) and other partial blockages are maneuverable with caution. There are multiple hanging trees, woody debris piles, and large flood debris items in and along the banks.

ROC staff and Broad Riverkeeper paddled Section 10 (221 to 221A) on 4/14. This section was clear of blockages, but had large sheets of metal and other debris to be cautious of while paddling. There were multiple tires, gas cans, and many other debris in need of clean-up. In terms of ‘Paddlability’, this section is clear, wide, and ready to paddle on with the new 221 and 221A accesses opening soon!

We paddled Coxe to Poor's Ford on 4/4/2025 and found this section to be passable, however, there are some piles of debris in the river that maybe be dangerous as well as debris that lines the sides of the river and the river bank. It is advised to stay out of deep sections and inside your vessel as possible debris could be trapped underwater and difficult to see. Approximately 2.3 miles from the Coxe Access there was a total blockage but we did some limb removal and passing is possible to the left of the tree. Other hazards include a couple partial blockages that can be maneuvered around as well as strainers and debris piles. Paddling this section of the river is possible with maneuverability and caution.

We paddled from Lake Lure Marine to Rock Springs Church Rd and found the depth of the river difficult to paddle. In many instances portage was required due to low water level including one total blockage which required kayaks to be pushed under a fallen tree while walking around. Other obstacles included a downed bridge and large strainers. Some clearing was done of partial blockages, however, it is recommended to check water levels before paddling this section.

We scouted River Rd to Grays Rd (SECTION 4) on 5/1/2025 and found multiple strainers and woody debris piles in the river throughout the section which requires some quick maneuvering. There is a total blockage around 4 miles in which requires portage to the left around the root ball. The area around the root ball was trimmed, however, this portage may be dangerous as there is a steep drop off when trying to get out of a kayak and the bank has slippery and sinking mud as well as some poison ivy. There is another complete blockage around 5.8 miles in which requires portage over a fallen tree. This section has many hanging trees, partial blockages, damaged banks, and large strainers and woody debris piles. Besides the two total blockages it is possible to complete this section as we created passable ways to get around the partial blockages.

We scouted Grays Rd to Coxe Rd on March 21, 2025. This section is passable with some effort to avoid obstacles. One big strainer log is still blocking the river about 1000ft below the put-in, but is easily portaged on river left. Some additional obstacles include partial blockages at 0.5 miles from the put in but are passable with maneuverability as well as additional maneuverable blockages approximately 2.7 miles into the section. Other hazards include low strainers and debris piles which are passable with caution. This section is passable with maneuverability and caution. Keep in mind to avoid deep water and stay in your vessel as there many be dangerous debris trapped underwater that is difficult to see.

We scouted sections 4 and 5 of the Broad River on Wednesday and found several trees that are down and blocking most of the river. On section 4 (River Road to Grays Road), there are four areas where trees are blocking most of the river and you will have to use caution to maneuver through. On section 5 (Gray's Road to Coxe Road), there are three areas where you will have to go slow and two of those require you to go through some branches to get through. The 1st picture is Section 4 (River Road to Grays Road): At 2.2 miles in, there is a tree down all the way across the river, but you can pass by going all the way to the left side.This picture was taken from the other side looking back up the river. The 2nd picture is Section 4 (River Road to Grays Road): at 2.8 miles in, you will have to go very slow and work your way around a small tree and under another to get through. Our river stewards and volunteers will try to clear some of these areas as soon as possible. Let us know if you would be interested in helping.

I floated section 5 on Saturday, May 9th, and there were no complete blockages to report. At 2.7 miles in, there is a large pile of brush blocking most of the river, but you can go under a tree on the far right to get past it. It was a nice, 5 mile float and I recommend this section for all skill levels. There is small drop in the river about a mile from the end, but it pretty easy to float over. There is a large rock to the right that you can use to portage around it if you do not want to float over it, though.

I floated section 4 of the Broad River on Friday, April 24th. The section is passable, but at 2.8 miles in, there is a large tree down and you will need to go slow as you go under it. At 4.3 miles in, there are a couple of trees down and you can get by through a small path through the middle. The water level was about a foot higher than normal on this day, and these areas I mentioned may be easier to pass through at normal water levels.