South River in North Carolina

Trip Overview

The South River was originally the Black River back in the 1700's according to the book by John Oates "The Story of Fayetteville". The book described two Black Rivers almost running several miles apart and surveyors had a bad time so named the southern Black the South Black, then it eventually became the South.

It begins as the Black River below Angier, NC and flows into Rhodes Mill Pond between Dunn, NC and Fayetteville, NC, leaves this pond as the Black River under I-95 and joins Mingo Swamp and becomes the South River north of Falcon, NC and above Green Path Road. From Green Path Road near Falcon, which is section 1 in "Paddling Eastern North Carolina with Paul Ferguson", until it runs into the Black River below Ivanhoe, NC approximately 79.8 miles, however the next take out point on this river is Beatty's Bridge on the Black River.

A paddle trip was held Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 by the Lumber River Canoe Club with some members from Friends of Sampson County Waterways. This was both clubs first trip of the New Year.

The section we paddled was Section 10 of Ferguson's book referenced above. We covered 13.5 miles and averaged about 3.4 miles per hour with the takeout being at the Corbett House, made famous in the movie Rambling Rose starring Robert Duval some years back.

There is no water gauge on the South River and I believe the gauge on the Black River was 5.55 ft with a cfs of 600.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv

There were no portages and plenty of current with only one tree to bump over. The weather was cool and stayed in the 40s with an on and off light rain and mist all day. Beautiful section but can be braided and swampy prior to running into the Black River. There were 3 canoes and 7 kayaks that made this trip and no wildlife was reported other than bird life. Development on this river is at a minimum with a few cabins.

Accommodations:

No accommodations near river but plenty on I-95 and in Clinton, NC and Fayetteville, NC

Fees:

No fees or permits

Directions:

The put in at Ennis Bridge is off Hwy 210.

From I-95 get off exit 49 and follow Hwy 210. After crossing Hwy 41 about 40 miles down 210, look for Ennis Bridge Rd, landing is on left before crossing the South River

Resources:

Paddling Eastern NC with Paul Ferguson