Roanoke Rapids Lake

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Roanoke Rapids Lake Trip

Put In - NC Wildlife boat ramp named Thelma Boat Ramp. No one used the boat ramp for launching other than myself. Saw one car come in to view the morning sun rise. A car was left over night at the parking lot and was gone when I got back. The ramp area and the lake in general are filled with hydrilla.
Distance/Time - 11.8 miles/5 hours
Difficulty - Above Average, there are areas of very low water and hydrilla to contend with. The dam started generating power around 9 AM and this brought the water level up at least 6 inches, however in the main channel the current was quite swift.
Trip Directions - I headed up to the dam and then came back down another channel and then hung a left into a large area of the lake that is only 6 to 12 inches deep. Had to get out a few times to portage. The water level did rise when the dam started generating power but it still was tricky. I almost lost the boat to the current, stopped at a rock and pulled the boat up thinking it was safe, took a hike to the top of a bluff and then on the way back notice my boat was moving away. It got stuck in some hydrilla so that did save me. Paddled down to Deep Creek and went in as far as you could go. Very nice old train trestle at the entrance to Deep Creek. Ate lunch at a camp of some sort, probably a church camp. Never was able to identify it. Had a nice guy come out and ask if I was in need of help as he felt I was going to be in trouble from the dam generation. I paddled over and he basically saw I was going to be ok.
Scenery - Lots of birds in the low water area of the lake. The power generation did end later in the morning and then the water receded backwards which was interesting to watch.
Hazards - Hydrilla and dam release water.