'It is not safe for anyone:' Log removal underway on the Neuse River

The closed access points are Falls Dam, River Bend Park, Buffaloe Road, Anderson Point, Poole Road and Milburnie Dam.

"They have a couple of cranes out there, a lot of people with chainsaws [and] people with ropes doing everything they can to remove it," said Camille Warren, with the Carolina Kayak Club.

Warren said a large accumulation of logs, branches and sand under the U.S. Highway 64 bridge is creating a dangerous situation.

"The force of the water can pull you under, get you entangled in some of that -- such in a way that you can't pull yourself back out," said Warren. "It is not safe for anyone to be on the river. You can die."

The city of Raleigh is working with the state Department of Transportation to remove the buildup of debris to make the waters safe once again.

Parking lots with joint access to the greenway and the Neuse River will continue to be open, according to the officials.

Warren said she's happy something is being done about it.

"The complaints were before, about removing it and now, we're just excited and celebrating it being removed. It means we can paddle the Neuse River again," she added.

Warren said she hopes in the future that officials do frequent trips down the river to catch those kinds of issues early.

Raleigh officials said they would give updates on the log removal as it's made.