Middle Haw Guide, 1410 cfs - Ira's River Guide Series

The Haw River is often the first whitewater those in the Triangle region of central North Carolina will paddle. The Middle Haw offers class I-III rapids perfect for those trying to get into whitewater kayaking. Newer paddlers can take advantage of the numerous put-ins to skip the challenging ferry below the dam. In addition to the whitewater action, the river has a scenic wilderness setting & lots of wildlife roam the banks.
Furthermore, the Middle Haw flows into the Lower Haw where beginners can push themselves in more challenging whitewater. Lower Haw River guide coming soon!
This river has many different put-in options. This guide video will start at the uppermost put-in & highlight the others along the way. All put-in coordinates are listed below.
Put-in coordinates:
Bynum Dam: 35.77652, -79.14609
Bynum Beach: 35.77296, -79.14346 (will have to hike across bridge)
Bynum Mill: 35.77066, -79.14230
Take Out Coordinates:
Hwy 64: 35.73084, -79.10706
The following "guide" is intended to be used only as a reference for the river, providing paddlers with an idea of what to expect. It should not take the place of proper training, scouting, safety & an honest assessment of ones skills. There are often multiple lines on each rapid. Proper scouting & paddler skill should determine the desired line. Each boater assumes all risk when paddling on a river.
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[@shirleyhutchison8401]

Great video! Lots of rocks and boulders. Great maneuvering. Interesting video.

[@JerKayaks]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

Lots of fun,❤

[@JerKayaks]

Anytime we get to get out on the water it sure is!

[@zachariahschiada2440]

Cool video. There’s also the biggest vertical drop in the section between the dam and the mill river left about 50 yards downstream from the 15/501 bridge. You need about 2k cfs minimum and there are normally strainers, but it’s a fun drop if you catch it right, maybe 3-3.5 ft. The way you went is definitely the safest bet for fun though.

[@JerKayaks]

When we make our guide videos we try to find the lines that are best for beginners or those who are running the river for the first time. But your right about that drop, looks like a fun one!

[@BenjaminClarke-vw3to]

Cool guide! I haven't seen that rapid called Thunder Rock before, but I like that better than the other variations I've seen. The rock you have to dodge is definitely the most notable feature! Thankfully the tree that was blocking it for a year is finally gone. There is also a far left channel and far right channel at that same spot in the river, both with ledges that can be pretty fun at the right level. And some interesting microchannels between the left and middle as well. I'm pretty sure more water actually goes left after the powerlines, but the better rapids (and the usual takeout) are on river right. I find this messes up a lot of paddlers who go out without a guide because they don't realize they need to paddle through the rock garden rather than follow the main flow.

[@JerKayaks]

We use AW as a guide for our guide lol. To avoid any confusion we use it so we can direct boaters to further read up on a particular run. It seems you are only limited by your imagination (and strainers) as to what lines you can come up with!

[@IraFowler3]

Yee-Haw

[@susanfowler2361]

Looks a bit calm for you but great for beginners

[@JerKayaks]

It is a great run for beginners!