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NC 704 to Settles Bridge
8 1/2 miles 3 to 4 hours
About 1/4 mile below the put in, the Mayo River enters on river left. Next you pass under the US220 bypass bridges. Downstream of these bridges is Slink Shoals Sluice - the "Crown Jewels" of the batteau navigation system in Rockingham County. Just below the large rock outcrop on river right a 800' long sluice hugs the right bank and takes you around the shoals. Then you enter the rapids where 4 pairs of wing dams channel all the water to the center of the river. Don't worry, these navigation structures are what make it possible for novices to run the shoals and rapids on the Dan River. Lone Island makes a good lunch stop. Be sure to take the right channel as the left one is often blocked by trees. The take out at Settles Bridge is about 100' below the bridge on river right.
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