Those who wade should also consider float tubes as I have used those in the Saluda, tethering them to me with a leash so that I had one with me to float over deeper holes, or for use with rising water. That is the only way to wade fish below the Zoo at the confluence rapids as movement upstream is almost impossible when water levels rise.

Fishing the lower Saluda by boat is also an option, but that approach requires it's own set of precautions, such as trip reports, having a downstream exit point, river navigation knowledge, and paddling skills in a river with conditions that can range from flat water to class 5 rapids!

Consider not using your most expensive fishing rods and reels, nor cramming your vest full of fly boxes and gear.  You don't want to even hesitate if you are faced with a "your gear or your life" situation as an unplanned plunge into a cold river quickly puts you into.  The vest and rods usually must go quickly as you need no encumbrances and both hands free.

A wading staff is very valuable in high water, and neoprene waders or wet wading in the summertime are better choices than the popular fly weight waders. The older style rubber and canvas boot foot waders are very restrictive for both wading and swimming and I simply would not wear those in the Saluda or any swift river at all. Also, quick-dry nylon and polypropelene clothes underneath your waders are much preferable to cotton which absorbs water and hastens hypothermia which the cold Saluda waters can quickly bring on. The first stage of hypothermia is confusion, and that is shortly followed by shock --don't let yourself go there!  Getting the body heat back up is the first priority when you take a plunge --and that means getting the heck out of the cold water and out of the wet clothes and seeking warmth.

Fishing with a buddy and carrying a whistle & throw rope as paddlers do is wise. Not wading far from shore, or not wading more than knee-deep is a good idea if you are not in good enough physical condition to handle a possible swim, or if you just happen to be a poor swimmer! Actually, in whitewater you shouldn't so much try to swim but rather float on your back with your feet in front as shock absorbers for the rocks until you can work your way to the safety with your hands. Swimming head first = concussions and a drowning. The most important considerations are to know the river and when not to enter it, to stay vigilant when you do, and especially to not wade into stretches which only have 'upstream exits' when the water level rises.
On the last Saturday in May, according to a report from SCE&G, "SCE&G generated between 100 and 185 MW for about 2 hours on Saturday, May 20, to provide reserve generation as required under the VACAR reserve sharing agreement." That generation translated into an instant release over 13,000 cubic feet of water per second according to the USGS river gage readings, and it sent many river recreationists scrambling out of the river --including our own Don Eng, who took a cold swim and lost gear to float out with the aid of some kayakers. Rescue personnel ended up plucking many people off of rocks that day at the Mill Race Rapids, as reported in THE STATE newspaper and on the local evening news, in spite of the warning lights there which need improvements to be more effective. It was extremely fortunate that no one was drowned.

Presently, only three warning systems are in place --one near Riverbanks Zoo at the Mill Race Rapids and one on the downstream side of the Zoo property, and one at Saluda Shoals Park.  Those should be heeded since there is no
advance notice of generations, however they are obviously inadequate to warn those on the rest of the river.  But, even if warning systems were installed along the entire river corridor, the possible extremely high volume releases
like those that raised the levels so rapidly on May 17 require that extreme caution and preparation be used.  Do not depend on the warning systems, even if you are near one of those to protect your life, as reaction time can be too
limited if you are not where you have a quick and immediate exit from the river.  That means then that wearing flotation could save your life, regardless of your skills.

Don described it as a 2 foot wall of water, that quickly rose several more feet as he swam out. What is needed is for flows to be announced at least 24 hours in advance, which is how it's done on many of the TVA tailraces where TU members fish based on announced water release schedules. To plan and announce flow levels in advance requires that SCE&G find another solution to meeting the regional power and other system contingency needs that the hydro facility at Lake Murray is used for.

Mike Waddell and I, and many other concerned stakeholders involved in the current FERC relicensing process are requesting that alternatives be studied for feasability to eliminate the current safety risks to the public. But until, and even if, that is done, please remain aware and take no chances by following the above safety advice with the potentially deadly high flow conditions!

**The water level in the lower Saluda can change from low and calm to a deadly raging torrent in a matter of minutes --even in the best of weather.  People can wade in the river with relative safety at lower water flows of 500 to 700 cubic feet per second.  The high water flow shown in this photograph was over 8,000 cubic feet per second.  It can get as high as 18,000 cfs.