Location: Eno river from Kings Highway Park to dam at Orange-Alamance Lake.
Date: Late September 2025
Craft: Mad River Explorer, Fiberglass
In July tropical storm Chantal dumped around 10 inches of rain into the Neuse River basin. The Eno, Little, and Flat rivers experienced serious flooding.
The water plant, riverfront parks, and several houses were submerged under 20+ feet of water. The USGS river guage recorded a massive spike then went silent.
The city reopening Kings Highway Park last month, restoring access to a short section of the Eno river and Sevenmile creek.
This section, also known as Ben Johnson Lake, feels like a flat section of river. Novice paddlers can cruise about a mile up the Eno. There is 1/3 mile of flatwater up Sevenmile creek.
There are a few houses along the lower part of the lake. The first had a Beech tree wrapped in a Disco ribbon.
The Eno was darker and clearer than usual. The railroad bridge marks the end of the houses as the river enters a section of Duke forest.
The flood washed two logs over the beaver trail at the top of this slide. They seem to have made a serious attempt to gnaw through.
The Eno above Lawernce road had lots of wood, but the flood cleared most out.
After about a mile the river emerges. The water level was perfect - low enough to walk the ripples but high enough to scrap back down. This section of the Eno is beautiful, with large rocks and mountain laurel.
There were several very large mussels. I suspect there is a very happy otter feasting on them, but so far I've only seen splashes.
The flood washed this plate down.
The river soon nears the highway bridge. It isn't remote, but it is secluded, even with the road noise. There was a small beach the beaver had sweep while dragging breakfast into the river.
The bridge graffiti was better than usual, including a pair of stern elephants. I think they might be a stereographic image. If I can make it work I'll post a follow up.
i reached the dam and turned back down river, happy to have finally completed this section. Going back downstream, it was easier to see the flood damage.
One more picture from this section
On the way back i recovered a steel bumper and old tire from the debris.
I couldn't figure out what it was from.
It was a good mornings paddle, if a bit tough on the canoe. I'm glad the city has got the access open so the flatwater section is open again.
Date: Late September 2025
Craft: Mad River Explorer, Fiberglass
In July tropical storm Chantal dumped around 10 inches of rain into the Neuse River basin. The Eno, Little, and Flat rivers experienced serious flooding.
The water plant, riverfront parks, and several houses were submerged under 20+ feet of water. The USGS river guage recorded a massive spike then went silent.
The city reopening Kings Highway Park last month, restoring access to a short section of the Eno river and Sevenmile creek.
This section, also known as Ben Johnson Lake, feels like a flat section of river. Novice paddlers can cruise about a mile up the Eno. There is 1/3 mile of flatwater up Sevenmile creek.
There are a few houses along the lower part of the lake. The first had a Beech tree wrapped in a Disco ribbon.
The Eno was darker and clearer than usual. The railroad bridge marks the end of the houses as the river enters a section of Duke forest.
The flood washed two logs over the beaver trail at the top of this slide. They seem to have made a serious attempt to gnaw through.
The Eno above Lawernce road had lots of wood, but the flood cleared most out.
After about a mile the river emerges. The water level was perfect - low enough to walk the ripples but high enough to scrap back down. This section of the Eno is beautiful, with large rocks and mountain laurel.
There were several very large mussels. I suspect there is a very happy otter feasting on them, but so far I've only seen splashes.
The flood washed this plate down.
The river soon nears the highway bridge. It isn't remote, but it is secluded, even with the road noise. There was a small beach the beaver had sweep while dragging breakfast into the river.
The bridge graffiti was better than usual, including a pair of stern elephants. I think they might be a stereographic image. If I can make it work I'll post a follow up.
i reached the dam and turned back down river, happy to have finally completed this section. Going back downstream, it was easier to see the flood damage.
One more picture from this section
On the way back i recovered a steel bumper and old tire from the debris.
I couldn't figure out what it was from.
It was a good mornings paddle, if a bit tough on the canoe. I'm glad the city has got the access open so the flatwater section is open again.
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