Danger on the River

[Chris]

So I had yesterday off and decided to take to Coosa up to the Saluda to try some back creek channels for bass. I checked the levels and the they were pumping out at 850 CFS which is perfectly acceptable to fish in. It was so calm when I got there I was actually being pushed upstream by the wind. So I made my way up about a mile and into a creek system off the main river. As soon as I got back there my phone goes off and a computer informs me that SCE&G is increasing river flow to the red range! I have never seen anything like it, As I made my way out of the creek, the water was coming up so fast the creek flow actually changed directions. Once I got back into the Saluda, I was basically just a passenger at this point and did my best to stay clear of everything. I made it back to the landing and got my gear on shore and got out of there. The levels changed so drastically you could actually watch the water rise on the ground. I would say about an inch every minute. I called a buddy to get river levels once I had my gear stowed in the truck and he said it was over 12,700!!! So guys, moral of the story, stay safe, wear a pfd, and have a exit strategy. Good luck out there!

[lilpdriverrat]

Similar thing happened to us at the first riverbassin tourney. It wasn't fun at all. I am still mad at that lying dam operator

[Rivercrawler]

I bet he was also the dam tour guide, that drove the dam boat, and told all the dam lies about the dam. I hate those dam guys =) Sorry, very inappropriate, but funny.

[blake]

Good reminder. inches per minute?,more like feet per second. It is fast, very fast. Good thing you were not wading (been there and swam that on some of my local dam controlled flows).

[IceFly]

Chris, I know the creek you are talking about... Nice largies back in that cut... And, you are right about the Saluda- I have had more than my share of close calls on the river... There is, however, a site that SCE&G puts out that you can check in the a.m. to see if they are going to be running water that day and what range it will be in... Here's the link... You may have to register, but go to the sidebar link that says, "Planned Operations":

http://www.sceg.com/en/my-community/lower-saluda-river/

[cmayes]

Glad you got out safely. Happen to me wading the Clinch a few years ago.

[Pirate wader]

I bet he was also the dam tour guide, that drove the dam boat, and told all the dam lies about the dam. I hate those dam guys =) Sorry, very inappropriate, but funny.

"Any dam questions?" "Yea where can I get some dam bait?"
Great movie! Haha all joking aside be careful out there my older brother was wading on the hooch one sunday when the water started rising. He barely got off the river that day.

[turkey]

glad you got out alright.

had that happen to me the other day for the first time...it wasn't as bad as your situation sounded but it still sucked.

[creekfreak]

Had the same thing happen two years ago on the tallapoosa at thurlow dam. We did a float down from the dam to a friends house. We got to far down to hear the siren and got stuck in some nasty water. I will tell you guys It scared the crap out of me and all the people that were with us.

[smalljaws]

There is, however, a site that SCE&G puts out that you can check in the a.m. to see if they are going to be running water that day and what range it will be in... Here's the link.

Just to be clear that is their "planned" operations. Being an on-demand regional supplier their plans are subject to change. Unfortunately, regardless of the forecast you need to be prepared for full generation.

[kfischerman]

I fish below the Pickwick dam, and while the planned rates are accurate the lock discharge is not. This discharge area is a great spot to catch fish, and is very calm and out of the wind until they release the water from the lock. This is normally not a problem because they sound an alarm in plenty of time. Last summer they failed to sound an alarm when I was in the discharge area. I am glad to say my motor started first pull. I shudder at what would have happened if it had not. This also killed any plans I had about chasing striped bass in my kayak below the dam. I still fish this area but I keep my motor running in neutral and I always wear a life jacket. Fishing can be dangerous, plan ahead and be prepared.

[Chris]

That dam water pushed me all the way back home!

I just saw the planned operations button...It's kinda vague but I'll make sure I check that next time!!

[waderjon]

Glad you got out of there safe Chris.

[dmurf2005]

glad you got out of there! I have had the same experience on the same stretch of water you were fishing. A buddy of mine told me you can call them and they'll let you know if they're going to do that before they start releasing.