Picketts Mill Road to Riverside Road

This is likely to be a 'go' with 1 inch of rain in winter or 2 inches during summer. To confirm runnability, there is a paddlers gauge at Erect Road: 1' would likely be a good level. We have Little River at Star, NC connected to the creek on here as a proxy since headwaters for both are in a similar location, but really a visual inspection will be needed to confirm there is enough water in Richland Creek. Here's the breakdown of each bridge to bridge section. Note that the best section is between Picketts Mill Rd and Erect Rd. Other parts can be skipped (E.G., if you want something quick after Cedar Falls), but they do have some rapids. Little Beane Store Rd to Picketts Mill Rd (1.1 miles, I-II) Minimum 6” at Erect Rd bridge. One small class I right under the bridge followed by flat. After a little less than half a mile, there is a sharp left turn followed by some class I and faster moving water with noticeable increase in gradient. After a right turn is a class II with slightly more complex lines. Within sight of the next bridge is the best rapid on the first stretch: a 1.5 ft or so drop at an old busted dam wall is followed by some fast ripples. This can also be reached by parking at Picketts Mill bridge. From Picketts Mill Rd to Erect rd (just under 1 mile, II-III) Minimum 6” at Erect Rd Bridge Right away you will go under a bridge with a class II drop. About 0.1 miles in is the first rock garden. Half a mile in you reach a more technical zig zag of rocks. Stay left for the best route and then stay left again once you get to a rock that covers almost the whole river. This is the first class III and should be scouted. After a little ditch like area on the left, it will feed you back to the middle of the creek if the water is high enough. At lower water, eddy right just after the drop and seal launch into the rapid in the middle, which has probably the only surfable wave in this section. I’m told there is a possible rock slide right down the middle with higher flows and the right side would likely be possible at scary high levels. One last boulder garden set of rapids before you get to the dam. At the dam stay left and spiral down the drop to the bridge, hugging the inside of the curve. This is the most drop on the run and II+ at minimum and III at higher water. You can eddy left under the bridge to take out up a steep hill at the bridge. From Erect rd to Riverside rd. (2.6 miles, I-II) Minimum 1 ft at Erect Rd bridge. Starts out with a couple of II- ledge drops, but gives way to flat water after two sharp bends right. After the flat water is a short boulder garden followed by the most challenging rapid in this section, a Class II- drop but with some difficult maneuvering needed to stay left with the flow. More flatwater for a while, then a few I+ ledge drops till you reach the Riverside rd bridge. Think of this section as class I with class II control needed between the zig zags and strainers.