There are only a few places to access the Catawba River from public property, without being in the National Forest. There are three places that I have found so far. I am always looking for new public access on South Carolina waterways, so I will update this listing as I find new Locations that will work for dredging access.
The Catawba River is impounded for Hydroelectric generation at Lake Wylie. When the generators are running this is a dangerously swift river. Do not dredge in this river anywhere close to the dam if you are not a good swimmer!!! Be very aware of rapidly changing water levels while you are dredging, if the water starts to rise, get yourself and your equipment to the shore quickly!!! If you get caught needing to cross the river to get to your vehicle, you could be here a long time, waiting for the generators to shut off!!!
Catawba River:
SC 9 Landing From Landsford Canal State Park, turn left onto S-12327. Drive 1.3 miles and turn right onto S-12330. Drive 2.2 miles and turn left onto US 21. Drive 5.5 miles and turn left onto SC 9. Drive 1.7 miles, cross over the bridge and the landing is on the left. (I have not been to this location. I do not know anything about the condition of this access or if there is any gold in the location. It is published as a public canoing access that is surrounded by private land. The Catawba River is navigable, so in the state of South Carolina the riverbed cannot be privately owned.)
Park Entrance #2 - Leave the park, turn left, and then left again at the next left. (Check to make sure this one is not in the park before you commit to putting in here.... The map is a little unclear... but I think it is outside of the park). (I have not been to this location. I do not know anything about the condition of this access or if there is any gold in the location. It is published as a public canoing access that is surrounded by private land. The Catawba River is navigable, so in the state of South Carolina the riverbed cannot be privately owned.)
Lake Wiley Dam- There is a boat ramp below the Lake Wiley Dam on the Catawba River. I need to look up directions to it, so I can post them here... I have never been there. If you are familiar with the area you will be able to find it. I know people who have found gold in this river. (This is a boat ramp, maintained for access to lower side of the dam, so it should be in good condition and accessible to most vehicles).
UPDATE by KEVNC....
You have to put in when the water level is dropping after the dam is closed. You will have to get out to the main river channel and go down stream at least 1/4 mile to be away from the dam. Make sure you have plenty of weight for your weight belt and at least 2 20lb anchors for your dredge. We found a little up there but it wasn't worth fighting the current all day. I had 40 lbs of weight on and got blown out of my hole, was sliding along the bottom till I found a big rock I could hold on to. Then after you a tired from fighting the current all day you have to go back upstream to get back to the ramp. You will have to wait till the dam is closed to go back up river. The water drops quickly and you will have to dragging your dredge through some shallow spots. No one gave us any trouble! Actually had a bunch of people interested in what we were doing they had never seen a dredge. The bottom was lots of sand and small gravel with about a foot of hard packed sand and mud. There was a couple spots I worked that had Hardpack that was like asphalt with river gravel. Make sure you have a hammer that has a pick on one end. If you go to dredge there DO NOT GO ALONE in case you get in trouble with the current. If you dredge out behind a rock while the water is going down be careful that when the water comes back up the pressure may shift the rock and it fall on you. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make it back to the ramp before they open the dam again. It would suck to get within 100yds of the ramp and them open the dam.
REMINDER OF HOW DANGEROUS THE CATAWBA RIVER REALLY IS!!!!
Man drowns in the Catawba River about a mile upstream from I-77 (VERY CLOSE TO THE LAKE WILEY DAM ACCESS)
Write up
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-090707-jmn-drowning.e1ae6de0.html |
