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Day 5
Reservoir Reel
The Broad loses its free-flowing life at the base of Anthony Shoals. While many cringe at the prospects of a lake paddle, the diversion is an exercise in understanding the impacts of dams and reservoirs. And, though we are partial to free-flowing rivers, Clarks Hill Lake has its charms. With only seven miles to paddle there will be plenty of time to enjoy a little lake life.
The beavers, at least, seem to like it. Opposite our launch site at Broad River Campground, a clan has constructed a formidable lodge and based on our encounters during scouting trips, this family of the world’s largest rodents seems unperturbed by human encounters.
Beyond the Ga. 79 bridge, the lake continues its spread. Bobby Brown State Park, with its canvas yerts, flanks the Broad on the east. The 665-acre spit of park land between the Broad and Savannah is most notable as the former site of Petersburg, which in 1800, was the third largest town in Georgia behind Savannah and Augusta. The town was situated at this spot because of its strategic location at the confluence of the two rivers, and it was connected to its down river neighbors via large pole boats capable of carrying up to 10 tons of cargo down the Savannah’s shoals. These boats came to be known as “Petersburg Boats.”
Near the confluence is a spectacular rock bluff on the Georgia side of the lake that, when climbed most carefully, provides stunning panoramic views of the lake. Likely, this bluff was a signpost to the captains of the Petersburg Boats of 1800.
A long stroke across the lake takes us to Fishing Creek and the Corps of Engineers’ Hesters Ferry Campground. At the end of this lake paddle, you’ll load your boat on a trailer and the 40-mile portage around the rest of the lake will begin.
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