Content
Request and receive flows on your mobile device via text message! Learn how at boatingbeta.com/tflows.
This page is available in WAP format. Check flows using your PDA or mobile phone using the url boatingbeta.com/wflows.
The following release schedules are available as Google calendars: Cheoah, Coosa, Gauley, Middle Ocoee, Upper Ocoee, Nantahala, Pigeon, Russell Fork, Tallulah, Tuckasegee, Upper Yough and The Full Monty (all eleven schedules). Visit boatingbeta Google Calendars to learn how to add release schedules to your personal Google calendar.
Runs and Levels
| Run | Class | Current Level | Reference Gage | Gage Quality & Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Laurel Creek | III-IV- | 280 cfs (Ivy) 05/19/2013 02:30  |
USGS: Ivy | Fair. Confirm boatability using PI visual gage before putting on: min = -1' opt = .5-2.5' max = 3.5'. Alt: Look for .75" of rain in 24 hours on the Little Laurel Creek gage. Insufficient information: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 300 - 600, too high = 1000. |
| Big South Fork of the Cumberland, Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood Ford | III-III+ | 559 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30  |
USGS: SF Cumberland | Excellent. Gage at TO. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 2400 - 4800, too high = 10000. |
| Caney Fork (Rock Island) | (IV) Park and Play | 4199 cfs 05/19/2013 01:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Rock Island VG TVA: Great Falls Dam |
Excellent. Hole under water when Center Hill Lake is over 650 feet. Call 1-800-238-2264, 4, 36 for Great Falls Dam release. Click Great Falls Dam for predicted releases (need 2 or more units). Color codes: minimum = 2000, medium = 2400 - 3200, too high = 7500. |
| 641.78 feet 05/18/2013 00:00 |
TVA: Center Hill Lake | Excellent. Call 1-800-238-2264, 1, 37 for Center Hill Lake level. Color codes: minimum = 0, medium = 1 - 649.9, too high = 650. | ||
| Chattooga, Section 3 | III (IV+) | 2.2 feet 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Chattooga | Excellent. Gage short distance downstream from take-out. Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 1.9 - 2.4, too high = 3. |
| Chattooga, Section 3 (76 Bridge Virtual Gage) | III (IV+) | 2.2 feet (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Chattooga River at 76 Bridge VG | Excellent. Converts USGS stage readings to stage readings on the Route 76 bridge paddler's gage a short distance downstream from the take-out. At 1.2 feet on the USGS gage the 76 Bridge Gage reads 0.9 feet; the discrepancy gets smaller as levels rise, with no discrepancy at levels above 2.2 feet. Color codes: minimum = 1.3, medium = 1.8 - 2.4, too high = 3. |
| Chattooga, Section 4 | IV-IV+ | 2.2 feet 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Chattooga | Excellent. Gage short distance downstream from put-in. Color codes: minimum = 1.4, medium = 1.8 - 2.05, too high = 2.2. |
| Chattooga, Section 4 (76 Bridge Virtual Gage) | IV-IV+ | 2.2 feet (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Chattooga River at 76 Bridge VG | Excellent. Converts USGS stage readings to stage readings on the Route 76 bridge paddler's gage a short distance downstream from the put-in. At 1.2 feet on the USGS gage the 76 Bridge Gage reads 0.9 feet; the discrepancy gets smaller as levels rise, with no discrepancy at levels above 2.2 feet. Color codes: minimum = 1.2, medium = 1.7 - 2, too high = 2.2. |
| Chattooga, Upper | II-V(V+) | 1.72 feet 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Chattooga at Burrells Ford Bridge | Excellent. This is the gage used by the USFS to determine if the Upper Chattooga is open for boating. Flow coding is both speculative, however, and subject to the proviso that boating is currently legal only between December 1 and March 1 at levels of 450 cfs or more. Please help refine the flow coding: Report your runs! Note: the farce continues: due to an appeal by Georgia Forest Watch, the boating ban continues indefinitely. It is still illegal to run the Chattooga above Highway 28. Color codes: minimum = 1.3, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.2. |
| 372 cfs 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Chattooga at Burrells Ford Bridge | Excellent. This is the gage used by the USFS to determine if the Upper Chattooga is open for boating. Flow coding is both speculative, however, and subject to the proviso that boating is currently legal only between December 1 and March 1 at levels of 450 cfs or more. Please help refine the flow coding: Report your runs! Note: the farce continues: due to an appeal by Georgia Forest Watch, the boating ban continues indefinitely. It is still illegal to run the Chattooga above Highway 28. Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 220 - 475, too high = 600. | ||
| Doe Gorge | IV | 338 cfs 05/19/2013 02:00 |
TVA: Doe | Excellent. TVA : Doe. Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 450 - 700, too high = 1200. |
| French Broad, Alexander Wave | (II) Park and Play | 4430 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Gage several miles upstream. Above 3,000 cfs the wave gets bigger and bigger but it becomes difficult to impossible to get back to the staging eddy. Insufficient observations: Report your sessions! Color codes: minimum = 1800, medium = 2100 - 2700, too high = 3000. |
| French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) | III (IV-) | 5310 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Marshall) | Excellent. Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000. |
| French Broad, Bent Creek to Hominy Creek (Biltmore) | I-II | 4430 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Excellent. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| French Broad, Ledges | (II) Park and Play | 4430 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Gage several miles upstream. Insufficient observations: Report your sessions! Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 2500 - 4000, too high = 5000. |
| French Broad, Marshall to Barnard (Section 8) | I-II | 4430 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| French Broad, North Fork | IV-IV+ | 447 cfs (FB@Rosman) 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: FB (Rosman) | Fair. 64 bridge visual gage: min = 0', opt = 6"-1', max = 3'. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 1700, too high = 2500. |
| French Broad, Rosman to Bent Creek (multiple sections) | I | 1880 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: FB (Blantyre) | Very Good. Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 350 - 600, too high = 1100. |
| French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) | III (IV-) | 5310 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Marshall) | Very Good. Major tributary enters river below PI (Big Laurel). Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000. |
| French Broad, Woodfin to Alexander (Section 6) | II | 4430 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| Gauley, Lower (Gauley Below Meadow Confluence Virtual Gage) | III-IV+ | 2530 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: Gauley River Below Meadow River Confluence VG | Very Good. Gages well upstream of PI but below significant tributaries. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Summersville Release + Meadow near Mt Lookout (for the flow at the confluence of the Gauley and Meadow, approximately nine miles upstream of the put-in at Bucklick Branch) or Gauley above Belva (for the flow approximately four miles downstream of the take-out at Swiss). Scheduled releases occur in September and early October; unscheduled releases occur year round. Water takes approximately 4.5 hours to reach put-in. Annual calendar of scheduled Gauley releases. Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 1500 - 3500, too high = 5000. |
| Gauley, Upper (Gauley Below Summersville Virtual Gage) | IV-V-- | 1924 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: Gauley River Below Summersville Dam VG | Very good. Based on the rating table the USGS used as of 10/01/03 and stage readings from USGS gage at PI. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Summersville Release. Scheduled releases occur in September and early October; unscheduled releases occur year round. Water takes no time to reach put-in. Annual calendar of scheduled Gauley releases. Color codes: minimum = 600, medium = 1100 - 3500, too high = 5000. |
| Ivy, Forks of Ivy to Eller Cove Road | I-II (II+) | 280 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Ivy | Poor. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 250 - 350, too high = 400. |
| Linville Gorge (Linville Falls to Lake James) | IV-V+ | 1.91 feet 05/19/2013 02:45 |
USGS: Linville | Good. Gage at TO; record of PI flow six hours earlier. Readings on this gage and boatable flows appear to have reverted back to their pre-floods of 2004 relationship. The color coding was been updated 2008-11-15 to reflect this but more input is always appreciated: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.4, too high = 2.7. |
| Little (AL), Rt 35 to Upper Two (Suicide) | IV-V | 295 cfs 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Little (near Blue Pond) | Very Good. Gage is located 11 miles dowstream of the put-in, so if the river is on the rise, the Suicide section can become runnable before it is reflected on the online gauge. The opposite can occur when the level is dropping unusually fast, such as after a summer thunderstom. An alternate gage is located about 6 miles upstream of the put-in (on one of the 3 forks of the little river) and can be used an early indicator to see if and how quickly the water level is rising or falling: USGS: WF Little at DeSoto Park. Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 600 - 1500, too high = 3500. |
| Little (AL), Upper Two to Powell Trail | III-IV(IV+) | 295 cfs 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Little (near Blue Pond) | Excellent. Gage is located 8 miles downstream of the take-out. An alternate gage is located about 9 miles upstream of the put-in (on one of the 3 forks of the little river) and can be used an early indicator to see if and how quickly the water level is rising or falling: USGS: WF Little at DeSoto Park. Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 400 - 1500, too high = 3500. |
| Little (TN), Elkmont to Metcalf Bottoms | II-III | 70.7 feet 05/13/2013 01:30  |
NOAA: Little River (Townsend) | Good. Note that NOAA reports values in UTC; boatingbeta converts these values to the time zone local to the gage. The online gage is eleven miles downstream of the put-in and 0.25 miles downstream of a major tributary -- check the visual gage on the river left side of the bridge inside the Elkmont Campground for confirmation before putting on. The minimum to put on at the parking area downstream of the intersection of Little River Road and Elkmont Road is 0" (water just to the top of the footer); the minimum to put on at the campground 4". These levels will be boney -- 1'-2' is optimum, over 2.5' is too high. The online gage is has been available in real time only since 11/2004 and the floods of 2004 may have changed the old rules of thumb; thus the color coding speculative: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 3, medium = 4 - 6, too high = 7. |
| 93946513 cfs (estimated) 05/13/2013 01:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: Little River Above Townsend VG | Good. Based on USGS data on the relationship between stages and flows January 2001-August 2003. The flow color coding differs slightly from the stage color coding to make the critical flow points more memorable. The online gage is eleven miles downstream of the put-in and 0.25 miles downstream of a major tributary so the actual flow will be significantly less that the flow reported here. Color codes: minimum = 660, medium = 1400 - 3600, too high = 5100. | ||
| Little (TN), Metcalf Bottoms to the Elbow (Sinks) | IV-IV+ | 70.7 feet 05/13/2013 01:30 |
NOAA: Little River (Townsend) | Excellent. Note that NOAA reports values in UTC; boatingbeta converts these values to the time zone local to the gage. This gage is 0.25 miles downstream of a major tributary, but the main stem and tributary flows are highly correlated and the tributary generally contributes only 15-20% of the total flow. This gage is has been available in real time only since 11/2004 and the floods of 2004 may have changed the old rules of thumb; thus the color coding speculative: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 2.4, medium = 2.9 - 3.5, too high = 5. |
| 93946513 cfs (estimated) 05/13/2013 01:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: Little River Above Townsend VG | Very good. Based on USGS data on the relationship between stages and flows January 2001-August 2003. The flow color coding differs slightly from the stage color coding to make the critical flow points more memorable. The gage is 0.25 miles downstream of a major tributary and downstream of the run itself, so the actual flow will generally be about 20-25% less that the flow reported here. Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 600 - 1000, too high = 2400. | ||
| Little (TN), Middle Prong (Tremont) | IV | 70.7 feet (tributary) 05/13/2013 01:30 |
NOAA: Little River (Townsend) | Fair. Note that NOAA reports values in UTC; boatingbeta converts these values to the time zone local to the gage. This gage is 0.25 miles downstream of the Middle Prong's confluence with the little. The main stem and it's tributary's flows are highly correlated, but the Middle Prong generally contributes only 15-20% of the total flow and thus has a smaller influence on the gage than the main stem. The Middle Prong is almost certainly runnable if the Little is over 4 feet, but may or may not be if it is lower. This gage is has been available in real time only since 11/2004 and the floods of 2004 may have changed the old rules of thumb; thus the color coding speculative: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 3, medium = 3.6 - 4.3, too high = 6. |
| 93946513 cfs (estimated) 05/13/2013 01:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: Little River Above Townsend VG | Fair. Based on USGS data on the relationship between stages and flows January 2001-August 2003. The flow color coding differs slightly from the stage color coding to make the critical flow points more memorable. The gage is 0.25 miles downstream of the confluence of the Middle Prong and the main stem, with the Middle Prong generally contributing about 15-20% of the total flow. The actual flow is thus about 15-20% of the flow reported here. Color codes: minimum = 660, medium = 1100 - 1700, too high = 3600. | ||
| NA NA  |
BoatingBeta.com: Middle Prong at Tremont Institute VG | Nonexistant. Wouldn't this be a great gage to have? The stick gage upon which it could be based is located on the downstream side of the bridge over the creek at the Tremont Institute (about 1 mile above the "Y"). Make this virtual gage a reality: Report your runs! Visual stick gage readings according to Kirk Eddlemon's 12/2008 guestimates: minimum = 0.8, medium = 1 - 1.25, too high = 1.5. | ||
| Little Tennessee | I-II | 1380 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) | Excellent. Gage near TO. Color codes: minimum = 230, medium = 500 - 1500, too high = 2500. |
| Little Tennessee | II+ | 1380 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) | Excellent. Gage near PI. Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 2000, too high = 2500. |
| Nantahala, Gorge (Beechertown to Wesser) | II+ (III) | 799 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Nantahala at Hewett | Excellent. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 for release information. Duke Energy provides 2-3 day forecasts every morning. Forecasts as of date and time message accessed and archive of past forecasts available at Nantahala River Flows Page. A calendar of scheduled releases is available at Annual calendar of scheduled Nantahala Gorge releases. The water takes approximately 3 hours to reach Lesser Wesser Falls and the NOC. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1000, too high = 1600. |
| Release Schedule 05/19/2013: 12:00m to 11:59pm. 05/20/2013: 12:00m to 11:59pm. 05/21/2013: No release. 05/19/2013 03:25 |
Duke Energy: Nantahala RS | Good This is the most recent schedule as posted by Nantahala Power & Light. These schedules sometimes change from day to day and over the course of the day, so don't take them as gospel. | ||
| New River Gorge | III-IV | 12000 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: New (Thurmond) | Excellent. Gage moderate distance upstream of PI. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers New at Thurmond Has been run at least as low as 1000 cfs but gets very tight and shallow. Color codes: minimum = 1700, medium = 2440 - 7500, too high = 14000. |
| New River Gorge (Fayette Station Virtual Gage) | III-IV | 6.2 feet (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
BoatingBeta.com: New River at Fayette Station VG | Fair. Based on an old raft company rating table. Has been run as low as -2.3 feet but gets very tight and shallow. Color codes: minimum = -1, medium = 0 - 4, too high = 7. |
| Nolichucky, Big Rock | (II+) Park and Play | 2520 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Nolichucky | Excellent The gage is located within minutes of the hole. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 550 - 650, too high = 900. |
| Nolichucky, Cowbell | (II) Mystery moves | 2520 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Nolichucky | Poor. The Embreeville reading is an historical record of the flow at Cowbell eight hours earlier. Cowbell washed away in floods of 2004 but is coming back.%nbsp; Help dial it back in: Report your sinks! Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 1600 - 2800, too high = 4000. |
| Nolichucky, Gorge | III-IV | 2520 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Nolichucky | Fair. The water takes about twelve hours to get from the put-in to the Embreeville gage. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1500 - 2000, too high = 6000. |
| Ocoee, Flipper | (II) Park and Play | 1103 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #2 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains. The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases. Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 450, medium = 1200 - 2200, too high = 3000. |
| Ocoee, Hellhole | (III) Park and Play | 1103 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00  |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #2 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains. The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases. Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 1500 - 2200, too high = 2400. |
| Ocoee, Middle (Ocoee #2 Dam to below Ocoee #2 Powerhouse; Virtual Gage) | III+ | 1103 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #2 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains. The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases. Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1000 - 2400, too high = 3600. |
| Oconaluftee | II-III | 587 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Poor. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 360, medium = 500 - 800, too high = 1500. |
| Overflow Creek | V | 0.78 feet (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
BoatingBeta.com: Overflow Creek VG | Excellent. Based on USGS: Chattooga at Burrells Ford. Brian Jacobson's rule of thumb (almost as accurate as the virtual gage): Overflow = Burrells Ford - 1.0 foot (thanks for the data Brian!). Relationship closest when Chattooga is falling. Insufficient observations: Report your runs!. Relationship between stage and flow drifting: color codes updated 4/3/2011. Color codes: minimum = 0.7, medium = 1.0 - 1.5, too high = 2.0. |
| 2.2 feet (Chattooga) 05/19/2013 02:00 |
USGS: Chattooga | Speculative. Visual gage: min = 1' opt = 1.2-1.5' max = 2'. Run well upstream of online gage; Chattooga must be rising. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 2.5, medium = 3 - 4, too high = 5. | ||
| Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Gorge | IV-V | 703 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Russell Fork + USGS: Pound | Excellent. The gages that are combined to create this virtual gage are located approximately five (Pound) and seven (Russell Fork) miles upstream of the Garden Hole put-in. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Russell Fork at Bartlick. This gage combines the Russell Fork and Pound River flows. It is located approximately three miles upstream of the Garden Hole put-in. Scheduled releases occur in October; unscheduled releases occur year round. Water takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach put-in. Annual calendar of scheduled Russell Fork releases. Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 400 - 800, too high = 1500. |
| Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Upper | II-III (IV-) | 703 cfs (estimated) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Russell Fork + USGS: Pound | Excellent. The gages that are combined to create this virtual gage are located approximately two (Pound) and four (Russell Fork) miles upstream of the Bartlick Bridge put-in. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Russell Fork at Bartlick. This gage combines the Russell Fork and Pound River flows. It is located at the Bartlick Bridge put-in. Scheduled releases occur in October; unscheduled releases occur year round. Water takes approximately one hour to reach put-in. Annual calendar of scheduled Russell Fork releases. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 800 - 1200, too high = 3000. |
| Saluda (Mosh Pit / Pop Up Hole) | (II) Park and Play | 1280 cfs 05/19/2013 02:15 |
USGS: Saluda near Columbia | Excellent. Gage located a short distance upstream of the hole. Alt #1: Call 1-800-830-5253 for the daily release forecast. If SCE&G is releasing the hole will be playable; two turbines are good and all five can be ideal. Alt #2: the USGS gages the Saluda below Lake Murray Dam; this flow reaches the Mosh Pit a little over two hours later. Note: the color coding is for the Mosh Pit, but this hole is part of a series of rapids with plenty of opportunities for paddling and play at levels as high as 20,000 cfs! Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 3300 - 4500, too high = 5000. |
| Swannanoa | I-II | 376 cfs 05/19/2013 03:00 |
USGS: Swannanoa | Speculative. Color coding inspired guesswork. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 100, medium = 150 - 300, too high = 400. |
| Tellico, Middle (Bridge below Jerrods Knee to Oosterneck parking area) | III+ | 1.75 feet 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tellico | Very Good. Gage downstream of run. The Middle Tellico can be run lower than 1.4 feet, but if it is running that low there is almost certainly something less boney to run closer to Asheville. Color codes: minimum = 1.4, medium = 1.7 - 3.7, too high = 6.4. |
| 316 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tellico | Very Good. Note that as a general rule it is better to rely on USGS flow readings than stage readings as flow readings are adjusted for streambed changes. Gage downstream of run. The Middle Tellico can be run lower than 200 cfs, but if it is running that low there is almost certainly something less boney to run closer to Asheville. Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 300 - 1200, too high = 3200. | ||
| Tellico, Upper (First bridge above Bald River Falls to bridge below Jerrods Knee) | IV | 1.75 feet 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tellico | Very Good. Gage downstream of run. The Upper Tellico can be run quite low, but it gets increasingly boney below 1.5 feet. Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 2 - 3.3, too high = 4.4. |
| 316 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tellico | Very Good. Note that as a general rule it is better to rely on USGS flow readings than stage readings as flow readings are adjusted for streambed changes. Gage downstream of run. The Upper Tellico can be run quite low, but it gets increasingly boney below 230 cfs. Color codes: minimum = 230, medium = 400 - 1000, too high = 1600. | ||
| Toe River Gorge, Toecane to Red Hill Bridge | II-III | 2520 cfs (Nolichucky) 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Nolichucky | Fair. Red Hill bridge visual gage: min = 0, opt = 1-2'. Generally runs when the Nolichucky runs; Noli gage 40 miles downstream. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 800, medium = 1500 - 2000, too high = 6000. |
| Toe River, South Fork, Patience Mullindore Park to NC 80 Bridge | II (III) | 213 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: South Toe | Fair. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 300 - 800, too high = 1800. |
| Tuckaseegee, Devil's Dip | (II) Park and Play | 2500 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tuckasegee (Bryson City) | Excellent. Duke Energy provides 3 day generation schedules every morning. Water arrives about 13 hours after release. A release on either Fork provides water to Devil's Dip. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information. When the water is too low Devil's Dip is sticky and shallow, with the potential to break paddles in the player's right side of the hole. From 700-2000 cfs it is a sticky hole, from 2,500-2,800 (the optimum) an excellent wave/hole, from 2,800-3,000 it is tricky to get to, and over 3,000 it is gone. Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 2000 - 2800, too high = 3000. |
| Tuckaseegee, Dillsboro to Barker's Creek | II | 5.04 feet 05/19/2013 02:15 |
USGS: Tuckasegee (Barker's Creek) | Excellent. Gage at take-out, but gage is new so color coding is a best guess. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information. Help dial in this new gage: Report your runs!. Annual calendar of scheduled Tuckasegee Gorge releases. Color codes: minimum = 3.7, medium = 4.4 - 5, too high = 5.5. |
| Tuckaseegee, East Fork (Slab Hole) | (II) Park and Play | 250 cfs @ 3:28 (estimated) 05/19/2013: Release from 12:00m to 11:59pm. 05/19/2013 03:25 |
BoatingBeta.com: Tuckasegee River at Slab Hole VG Duke Energy: East Fork |
Excellent. Scheduled releases into river approximately 1/2 mile above the hole. Level cell format: estimated current flow and time; current date and release message as recorded by Duke Energy; date and time message accessed. Estimated current flow speculative; all Duke Energy reports is whether the river is "on" or "off." Duke Energy provides 3 day generation schedules every morning. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information. Color codes: minimum = 100, medium = 200 - 300, too high = 400. |
| Release Schedule 05/19/2013: 12:00m to 11:59pm. 05/20/2013: 12:00m to 11:59pm. 05/21/2013: No release. 05/19/2013 03:25 |
Duke Energy: EF Tuck RS | Good This is the most recent schedule as posted by Nantahala Power & Light. These schedules sometimes change from day to day and over the course of the day, so don't take them as gospel. | ||
| Tuckaseegee, Ela to Bryson City | II | 2500 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tuckasegee | Excellent. Gage at TO. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information. Color codes: minimum = 750, medium = 1250 - 3000, too high = 6000. |
| Tuckaseegee, Whittier to Ela | II (II+) | 2500 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Tuckasegee | Fair. Gage well downstream of PI. Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information. Color codes: minimum = 750, medium = 1250 - 3000, too high = 6000. |
| Watauga Gorge | IV-V- | 273 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Watauga | Very Good. Gage 2 miles upstream of PI. Color codes: minimum = 160, medium = 250 - 500, too high = 1200. |
| Wilson Creek, Gorge (flows) | IV | -5 inches (estimated) 03/27/2013 19:08 |
BoatingBeta.com: Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge VG | Very Good. Based on flows measured at the Edgemont AFWS gage and 91 Adako Bridge visual observations reported between 11/19/09 and 3/13/2010. 86% of the predicted values were within +/- 1" of the actual values; 99% were within +/- 2". Because the Edgemont gage is located on Wilson Creek, this gage should be good year round. At high flows it takes approximately four hours for water to flow the 11.6 miles from the Edgemont gage to Adako bridge. The virtual gage takes this lag into account: the predicted flow at the bridge at any point in time is based on the flow at Edgemont four hours earlier. Note: The Edgemont gage appears to update only when the river level changes. To be safe, check the alternate gages when the timestamp is stale. Virtual gages require frequent re-estimation: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = -6, medium = 0 - 6, too high = 12. |
| 2.1 feet 03/27/2013 19:08 |
AFWS: Edgemont SG | Very Good. Located on Wilson Creek above the confluence with Gragg Prong/Lost Cove Creek -- eight miles upstream of the Gorge and 11.6 miles upstream of the Adako Bridge visual gage. At high flows it takes approximately four hours for water to flow from the Edgemont gage to the Adako bridge. The timestamp associated with this gage does not take this lag into account: what you see is the level at the Edgemont gage at the time reported in the timestamp. Note: The Edgemont gage appears to update only when the river level changes. To be safe, check the alternate gages when the timestamp is stale. Help maintain this gage: Report your runs! Note: AFWS gages can report sporadically. Here are links to the Edgemont (Wilson Creek) hydrograph and Edgemont streamflow archive. Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 2.5 - 3, too high = 3.5. | ||
| 1450 cfs 05/19/2013 03:15 |
USGS: Johns River | Fair. It is best to look at sets of gages to determine if Wilson Creek is running. WC is a tributary to the Johns River; the Johns River USGS gage is located 7.5 miles downstream of the WC visual gage so flows on the Johns Creek gage are serveral hours behind flows on WC. If both the Watauga and Johns River gages indicate that WC is running it most likely is, and at a level close to that on the WC virtual gage. If, on the other hand, the Watauga is running at a healthy level and Johns River hasn't budged the rain may have fallen on the west side of the mountains and WC is dry. Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 500 - 1600, too high = 2000. | ||
| 273 cfs 05/19/2013 02:30 |
USGS: Watauga | Fair. When rainfall is widespread the Watauga is an amazingly good predictor of the level on Wilson Creek. Widespread rainfall occurs frequently in the Winter and Spring, less often in the Summer. Look at the WC rain gauges (is the rainfall widespread?) and the Johns River gage (is it rising?). If the answers to these questions are "no," go run the Watauga instead! Color codes: minimum = 170, medium = 280 - 370, too high = 600. | ||
| 1150 cfs 05/19/2013 02:45 |
USGS: Yadkin (Patterson) | Fair. The Yadkin is the next watershed north of Johns Creek. If rainfall is widespread and the Upper Yadkin is over 50 cfs WC is generally running; If, on the other hand, the Yadkin is indicating a good WC flow and Johns Creek is indicating a marginal flow there is a good chance the rain fell north of the WC watershed and WC is not running. Color codes: minimum = 50, medium = 150 - 250, too high = 350. | ||
| Yadkin, Upper | IV | 1150 cfs 05/19/2013 02:45 |
USGS: Yadkin (Patterson) | Speculative. Runs when everything around Wilson Creek is too high. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 200 - 350, too high = 450. |
| Youghiogheny, Upper | IV-V- | 549 cfs 05/19/2013 01:45 |
USGS: Yough (Friendsville) | Fair. Gage near TO. Useful by self when river has natural flow and generating all day but not for pure-release flows (since the release window is narrow and can be over at the put-in by the time water reaches the gage). The standard release is 600 cfs. To estimate bubble flow before bubble reaches gage, add 600 cfs to gage reading. Alt: Call 315-413-2823 for updated release information. Annual calendar of scheduled Upper Yough releases. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 700 - 1000, too high = 1600. |
| 3.18 feet 05/19/2013 01:45 |
USGS: Yough (Friendsville) | Fair. Gage near TO. Padders often refer to the painted gage on the bridge at the PI (Sang Run). The Sang Run gage reads approximately 1.25 feet less than the Friendsville gage, so a local rule of thumb is to subtract 1.2 from the Friendsville flow interpretation levels to get the Sang Run flow interpretation levels. Color codes: minimum = 3.078, medium = 3.282 - 3.539, too high = 3.955. |
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Flow Color Coding Key
| Color | Interpretation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Note: assigning flow codes is highly subjective -- one person's "way too high" is another's "yahoo!" I have attempted to assign the codes relative to the typical person likely to boat the run at normal levels. "Too high" in this context means "the typical person found on this run at the levels it is most often paddled would find this run at this level very challenging." In general, runs are harder at higher levels. Use your discretion regarding the suitability of the run to your skill level and experience after seeing the level in person. |
||
| Too High | Beyond the envelope for the typical person likely to boat this run. | |
| High | Frequently run this high, but a stretch for the typical person likely to boat this run. | |
| Medium | Very enjoyable for the typical person likely to boat this run. | |
| Low | Frequently run this low. Worth a look but probably not a long drive. | |
| Too Low | Seldom run lower by anyone who isn't desperate and/or lives by the put-in. | |
| Don't Know | What's your opinion of this level? Email The River Gages Project. | |
Gage Quality Key
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Excellent | Gage located on the reach near the run. Significant number of observations. |
| Very good | Gage located on the reach but a significant number of tributaries upstream or downsteam from the run, or gage based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach. Significant number of observations and strong correlation. |
| Fair | Gage located on the reach near the run but very limited number of observations; gage located on the reach but a significant number of tributaries upstream or downsteam from the run, or gage based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach. Limited number of observations and/or modest correlation. |
| Poor | Gage is based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach. Significant number of observations but weak correlation. |
| Speculative | Gage is based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach. Very limited number of observations or very weak correlation. |
