Letting rivers run wild again in Badin and Great Falls

Paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
The 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival in October 2019 included canoe rides on Badin Lake. Overhead power lines are from Badin's hydroelectric dam. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
The 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival in October 2019 included canoe rides on Badin Lake. Overhead power lines are from Badin’s hydroelectric dam. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Paddlers on Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Paddlers on Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
The dry channel at Great Falls, S.C. The falls once crashed over these rocks, before they were diverted for hydroelectric power. This is where Duke Energy plans to release more water into the channel to fuel whitewater adventures. Photo: Nancy Pierce
The dry channel at Great Falls, S.C. The falls once crashed over these rocks, before they were diverted for hydroelectric power. This is where Duke Energy plans to release more water into the channel to fuel whitewater adventures. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Participants in Run The Valley Half Marathon on October 19 ran from downtown Badin to the top of Morrow Mountain and back. The event was part of 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Participants in Run The Valley Half Marathon on October 19 ran from downtown Badin to the top of Morrow Mountain and back. The event was part of 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Preparing for a canoe ride on Badin Lake. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Preparing for a canoe ride on Badin Lake. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Downtown Badin includes two antique shops, the town hall, police station and offices. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Badin includes two antique shops, the town hall, police station and offices. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Visitors toured the Badin Historic Firehouse Museum during the 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival on October 19. Note the "Town that Aluminum Built" placard. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Visitors toured the Badin Historic Firehouse Museum during the 10 Days of Uwharrie outdoor festival on October 19. Note the “Town that Aluminum Built” placard. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
The view paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
The view paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
A shuttered department store in downtown Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
The Flopeye Diner in Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
The Flopeye Diner in Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Hiking around Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Hiking around Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Swimming in Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Swimming in Stumpy Pond near Great Falls, S.C. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Downtown Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
Small, rocky cliffs on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Small, rocky cliffs on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
Paddling on the Falls Reservoir near Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
View of the Alcoa site from Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce
View of the Alcoa site from Badin. Photo: Nancy Pierce