Saluda River Rallly

Kayakers having fun at Saluda River Rally on June 4th and 5th


Anderson Parks and Rec. Dept. booth and archers Danielle Worthen and Robert Horton

Danielle Worthen shooting at deer target

The above photos by L. Ross are only a few scenes of the fun time for attendees at the Saluda River Rally at Dolly Cooper Park, sponsored by Grady's Great Outdoors of Anderson and the Anderson Parks and Recreation Department. The event featured river kayaking, float tubes, archery with Saluda River Archery Club and PSE Archery represented. Russell Cooper owner of Saluda River Archery Club and Robert Horton, PSE Pro Staffer were there to help novice archers learn more about the sport.

There were a great number of exhibitors and the fun included bluegrass music and on Sunday, at the culmination of the float to Piedmont, SC, free BBQ was provided by the Saluda River Grill.

The Anderson Parks and Recreation Department has been working with local businesses and outdoor enthusiasts to establish a kayak/canoe trail on the Saluda River and provide easy access and egress points at strategic places along the river. The river is a natural resource that has been underused and many people do not realize the natural beauty along the river and the opportunities that it provides.

Sharon Nicometo, Project Coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department told of a young man in a wheelchair that came and took his first kayak ride. He was thrilled with the experience and the sense of freedom that he felt on the water. This was truly an inspirational story.

Danielle Worthen, the young lady in the archery photos above, is only 11-years-old and she is an example of getting involved in outdoor sports early. She began to call turkeys when she was only 3 and won her first contest when she was 4. She is currently the North Carolina state champion. She is also the only female from South Carolina to compete in Bassmasters. Way to go Danielle!

It was a great couple of days and many people had their first exposure to the river that is so close to much of the upstate population.

Twelve Mile River restoration benefits sportsmen

Kayakers on Twelve Mile River - Photos by L. Ross

The recent removal of the lower dam on the Twelve Mile River is opening up a new stretch of the river that has long been unavailable to recreational kayaking. The second dam is to be removed this summer and a studyhas been approved to research the feasibility of removing the upper dam.

Slumberger Corp. bought the old Sangamo property and is being forced to pay $9 million to dredge PCB's that were released over decades into the river by Sangamo. A portion of the money will be left after the first two dams are removed after dredging and confinement of toxic sediment. The sum may not be enough to remove the upper dam, but Upstate Forever and other interested groups are pushing for removal of the last dam.

This would restore the river to its former free-flowing state and once erosion and stabilization of the banks takes place, it would gradually recover the wild and natural beauty that it once enjoyed.

The Twelve Mile River is a very scenic river and it is wonderful to see it restored to its former glory.