Haw River
🏔 Scenic River
Alamance / Chatham Co. · 110 mi · Class I–II
143CFS/ 2.00 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 300–1500 CFS · USGS #02096500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Haw River State Park · Haw River Paddle Trail · NC Scenic River candidate
The Haw River is the Triangle's most popular Piedmont paddling river — 110 miles of Class I–II water from the Greensboro suburbs past Saxapahaw to Jordan Lake. The middle reach around Bynum and Haw River State Park delivers fun, accessible whitewater and beautiful forested bluffs. The river is a centerpiece of the Haw River Trail paddle and hiking system.
Trip sections
Upper Haw — Altamahaw to Saxapahaw, Class I, rural float
Middle Haw — Saxapahaw to Bynum, Class I–II, intermediate whitewater
Lower Haw — Bynum to Jordan Lake, Class I–II, forested bluffs
Outfitters
Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company
Haw River rentals and shuttles from Saxapahaw
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.