By Nicole Eastman, Yadkin Riverkeeper and Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
We started at the top of High Rock Lake. There was still current pushing us for a while as we passed the delta islands. When that stopped, every mile was earned. I’m reminded that High Rock Lake is the first lake after about 123 miles of free flowing river; and that’s just the Yadkin. The tributaries of Roaring River, Mitchel, Fisher, Ararat, Muddy Creek and the South Yadkin also contribute to the river’s flow, silt and debris. High Rock catches all of this. The silt from moving water stills in the slower waters and drops to create islands that cover the historic location of the “Trading Ford” that was used by Native Americans then colonists later. The logs that were cut off the base of bridge pilings after Helene poke their heads up reminding boaters and skiers of the subsurface danger. All of this gives High Rock a distinct feel of a river in transition.
The heat had us swimming and taking shady breaks when we could. High Rock is a lake that settles down after school starts. For the most part, we were the only ones on the water. Practically the only exception was a visit from Edgar Miller, the Executive Director of Yadkin Riverkeeper and Bo Wagner. They brought us cold drinks, chilled fruit and banana pudding.
After 15 miles we reach the start of the portage trail at High Rock Dam. The campsite is MUCH quieter but getting out of the water here is a bit of a trick with fully loaded kayaks. Tomorrow we do one of the two big Portage trails. Tonight it’s likely to rain…. Again.
Hammock Yoga
Last night was the first time in a while I had slept in a hammock camping. There are certain skills and muscles involved and I am a little rusty to say the least. To adjust your position in the hammock requires a balance, counter balance maneuver that a jujitsu master might admire. Then when exiting the hammock, a series of twists and turns that may be more relevant in a Yoga studio. But what really caught my attention is the skill of getting into a hammock and bug net at the same time. The Mosquitos had me in a bit of a rush and I did not have the hammock completely open. I tried to shimmy and I tried to shake, alas It was not enough to open the hammock before I fell over backwards, in the bug net twisted up in the hammock and pelted by the pillows and book that I was looking forward to reading. I’m pretty tired today. We’ll have to see if I learned the lessons from last night as I go to bed
Nicole Eastman, Yadkin Riverkeeper
Our group is now smaller, just 6 paddlers taking on the Yadkin lakes the next few days. We enjoyed the beautiful view over the side channel with an island reflecting in the water at Yadkin River Park. Then, we set off at 9am with our kayaks fully loaded towards the Wilcox bridge.
We passed under a series of bridges and a trestle and were on our way to High Rock Lake. As we started, I was missing the flow of the river that propelled us forward up until now. The slow-moving lake water was like glass this morning.
We paddled through a series of lush green islands and admired the few riverfront properties leading up to the lake. It was a quieter bunch this morning as we got into our rhythm. We slowly made our way across the lake, taking breaks to swim and pick our next point of direction. Shade and swim breaks were important today because the heat index was above 100 F!
We saw some evidence of sedimentation as it settled in the lake after being transported from upstream by the Yadkin River. YRK is advocating for the High Rock Lake Rules, a nutrient management strategy that many of those reading this have heard us talk about in the past. The Rules would require nutrient reduction from development, agricultural land, and wastewater treatment facilities upstream of the lake. Reducing nutrients would help prevent harmful algal blooms on High Rock and the lakes downstream. Today, we didn’t see any signs of algae!
During the algae growing season (April-October), we monitor for nutrients, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a, the part of plants that make them green and they use for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll-a is a good indicator of algal growth, and the state has established a limit for chlorophyll-a of 35 ug/L for High Rock. During the last two years, the level of chlorophyll-a hovered right below 35 ug/L. With the clearer water we saw during the drought, chlorophyll-a levels have been much higher this summer.
While making a crossing from one point to another on the lake, we heard a boat putting up behind us and heard Bo Wagner’s voice. Bo lives on the lake and has joined us for part of the Long Paddle. Today, Bo and Edgar brought us some cold drinks and sweet treats like fruit and banana pudding. Not many people can say they ate cold banana pudding out of their kayak in the middle of a lake!
We made our way to our first lake portage and scaled the steep slope at the takeout. Thankfully, we had a gracious YRK member, Bob, there with ice cold water and watermelon!
Dusk at High Rock Lake dam.