Little Pee Dee River: Floyd Dale Bridge to Carmichael’s Bridge

Skill Level: Easy

Loading

Rapids: None

Length: 3.30 miles

Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

As you float this section of the river, you may notice a wider channel and a more lake-like or slower water flow. Try to spot the Spanish moss and mistletoe in the oak, tupelo and cypress trees. Notice the wonderful shapes of the many cypress knees along the river banks. The sandy pointbars are also a little larger at low water levels and are great places to stop for a swim break.

Access

Put in:

Floyd Dale (Floydale) Bridge Landing

Lester Road, Dillon, SC

Access Details

Paved boat ramp, dirt parking lot, small picnic shelter.

Take out:

Carmichael’s Bridge / Heritage Trust Landing

Dirt road on the left off of State Park Rd.

Access Details

This is a state-owned, drop in access from the dirt road with limited parking available. The Little Pee Dee State Park and the Heritage Preserve extend both upstream and downstream for over one mile along the north bank of the river.

Trip Details

The Heritage Trust landing is located on the north side of the river just upstream from Carmichael’s Bridge. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Heritage Trust Program acquired 301 acres to protect an undisturbed medium-sized Carolina bay. This Carolina bay is located on the edge of the floodplain just north of this landing. Carolina bays are oval depressions with a northeast to southeast orientation and are usually filled with bay trees and other wetland vegetation. There are many theories as to the origin of these bays. As you enter or exit the landing road you will travel near the bay’s sand rim through xeric (extremely dry) vegetative habitats. Little Pee Dee State Park is adjacent to the Heritage Trust property and offers a wonderful campground next to a 54-acre lake.

Waterway:

Little Pee Dee River

Upstream Trip (1)

Little Pee Dee River: Dillon County Park to Floyd Dale Bridge

Downstream Trip (1)

Little Pee Dee River: Carmichael's Bridge to Huggins Bridge

Comments (1)

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Mitchell Lloyd

Dec 09, 2021 4:11 pm EST

Paddled on 12/3/2021. River level 5.95 ft Dillon gauge, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/current/?type=flow, This level is low water. River was passable with work at this level. Many trees and debris in water, many submerged snags. There was one portage about 1 mile upstream from Carmicheal's Bridge, 4 trees together in one stump, this will be a portage at any river level. Portage was short and easy but necessary. This river is constantly changing and new downfall is common. There are a couple of cut-through channels where the river is abandoning new oxbows and these cut-throughs are tight and can be partially clogged. Not a section for first time paddlers during cold weather, maneuvering skills are important here. There is much evidence of recent attempts to clear the river but much still needs to be done. River levels of 7.5 ft or greater would remove many of the obstacles but portage will still be required. Of all the sections we paddled in Dillon County during this time, this was the roughest to do.

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