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 South Fork of the Cumberland, Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood Ford | III-III+ | 437 cfs 10/19/2021 07:30 EDT  |
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 | 6329 cfs 04/17/2020 10:00 CDT  |
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. |
| 647.53 feet 04/17/2020 10:00 CDT |
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+) | 2.09 feet 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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 | III (IV+) | 2.05 feet (estimated) 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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+ | 2.09 feet 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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 | IV-IV+ | 2.05 feet (estimated) 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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. |
| Doe Gorge | IV | 435 cfs 04/17/2020 09:00 EDT |
TVA: Doe | Excellent. TVA : Doe. Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 450 - 700, too high = 1200. |
| French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) | III (IV-) | 2040 cfs 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
USGS: FB (Marshall) | Excellent. Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000. |
| French Broad, Bent Creek to Hominy Creek (Biltmore) | I-II | 1720 cfs 10/19/2021 06:45 EDT |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Excellent. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| French Broad, Ledges | (II) Park and Play | 1720 cfs 10/19/2021 06:45 EDT |
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 | 1720 cfs 10/19/2021 06:45 EDT |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| French Broad, Rosman to Bent Creek (multiple sections) | I | 878 cfs 10/19/2021 07:30 EDT |
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-) | 2040 cfs 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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 | 1720 cfs 10/19/2021 06:45 EDT |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| Gauley, Upper | IV-V-- | 774 cfs (estimated) 10/19/2021 07:45 EDT |
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 the put in. Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Summersville Lake Outflow. 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. |
| Little Pigeon, Lower West Prong (Picnic Area to Campbell Overlook) | V | 1.31 inches (rain, 24 hours) 01/21/2021 14:15 EST |
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG | Speculative. Warning! The relationship between the Picnic area bridge visual gage and safely boatable flows has changed several time in the last couple years. The following values are at best hints . . . observe the flow independently of the gage and use your judgement! Picnic area bridge visual gage: min = 1', opt = 1.3-1.5', max = 1.7'. If water table up, look for widespread 1+" of rain, esp. at Newfound Gap; in summer look for 1.5+": AFWS: Sevier County. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5. |
| 1 feet (estimated) 01/21/2021 13:39 EST |
BoatingBeta.com: West Prong at Picnic Area VG | Speculative. Based on the AFWS: Chimney Pic SG; as of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage. Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (the relationship between the Picnic Area visual reading and boatabilty changes more frequently than any other gage I know): Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.3 - 1.5, too high = 1.7. | ||
| 1.74 feet 01/21/2021 13:39 EST  |
AFWS: Chimney Pic SG | Speculative. Gage has been offline more than offline for years. As of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage. Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (which frequently changes): Report your runs! Note: AFWS gages can report sporadically. Here are links to the Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) hydrograph and Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) streamflow archive. Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.2, too high = 2.4. | ||
| Little Pigeon, Road Prong of the West Prong | V-V+ | 1.31 inches (rain, 24 hours) 01/21/2021 14:15 EST |
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG | Speculative. Footbridge visual gage: 12 painted stripes down (-12") = min; if -7" can run Upper Road Prong. Runs when everything else too high. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5. |
| Little Pigeon, Upper West Prong (Trailhead to Picnic Area) | V-V+ | 1.31 inches (rain, 24 hours) 01/21/2021 14:15 EST |
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG | Speculative. Warning! The relationship between the Picnic area bridge visual gage and safely boatable flows has changed several time in the last couple years. The following values are at best hints . . . observe the flow independently of the gage and use your judgement! Picnic area bridge visual gage: min = 1', opt = 1.3-1.5', max = 1.7'. If water table up, look for widespread 1+" of rain, esp. at Newfound Gap; in summer look for 1.5+": AFWS: Sevier County. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5. |
| 1 feet (estimated) 01/21/2021 13:39 EST |
BoatingBeta.com: West Prong at Picnic Area VG | Speculative. Based on the AFWS: Chimney Pic SG; as of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage. Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (the relationship between the Picnic Area visual reading and boatabilty changes more frequently than any other gage I know): Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.3 - 1.5, too high = 1.7. | ||
| 1.74 feet 01/21/2021 13:39 EST |
AFWS: Chimney Pic SG | Speculative. Gage has been offline more than offline for years. As of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage. Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (which frequently changes): Report your runs! Note: AFWS gages can report sporadically. Here are links to the Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) hydrograph and Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) streamflow archive. Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.2, too high = 2.4. | ||
| Little Tennessee, Iotla to Lost Bridge | I-II | 927 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) | Excellent. Gage near TO. Color codes: minimum = 230, medium = 500 - 1500, too high = 2500. |
| Little Tennessee, Lost Bridge to Fontana Lake | II+ | 927 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) | Excellent. Gage near PI. Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 2000, too high = 2500. |
| New River Gorge | III-IV | 2700 cfs 10/19/2021 07:45 EDT |
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 | III-IV | 0.33 feet (estimated) 10/19/2021 07:45 EDT |
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 | 795 cfs 10/19/2021 07:30 EDT |
USGS: Nolichucky | Excellent The gage is located within minutes of the hole. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 550 - 650, too high = 900. |
| Nolichucky, Gorge | III-IV | 795 cfs 10/19/2021 07:30 EDT |
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. |
| Nolichucky, Secret Spot | (II+) Park and Play | 4751 cfs 04/17/2020 09:00 EDT |
TVA: Below Nolichucky Dam | Excellent. Gage below dam, near park 'n play spot. Recently added to set of gages TVA reports. Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 2200 - 3300, too high = 4500. |
| Ocoee, Flipper | (II) Park and Play | 1133 cfs (estimated) 04/17/2020 11:00 EDT |
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 | 1133 cfs (estimated) 04/17/2020 11:00 EDT |
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) | III+ | 1133 cfs (estimated) 04/17/2020 11:00 EDT |
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. |
| Saluda (Mosh Pit / Pop Up Hole) | (II) Park and Play | 2950 cfs 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
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 | 119 cfs 10/19/2021 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Swannanoa | Speculative. Color coding inspired guesswork. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 100, medium = 150 - 300, too high = 400. |
| Tuckaseegee, Devil's Dip | (II) Park and Play | 1640 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
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 | 1170 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
USGS: Tuckasegee (Barker's Creek) | Excellent. Gage a quarter mile or so above the take-out. An annual calendar of scheduled releases is available at Duke Power's Tuckasegee Recreation Flow Calendar (select Nantahala Area on the dropdown menu; the link will be on the right side of the page you are taken to). The calendar is color coded: Releases on the East Fork of the Tuckasegee are colored purple, come from the Cedar Cliff PH, and are generally 500 cfs; releases on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee are colored red, come from the Thorpe PH, and are generally 250 cfs. You will note that from late May to early September, the higher East Fork releases are frequently Wed, Thu and Sat, while the lower West Fork releases are frequently Tu, Fri, and Sun. Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 500 - 750, too high = 1500. |
| Tuckaseegee, East Fork, Granny Burrel Falls to Rock Bridge (Upper Upper EF Tuckaseegee) | IV-V | 5.41 feet 01/21/2021 13:40 EST |
AFWS: Rock Bridge SG | Fair. Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels. Some of the color coding is still speculative, however, and it is always good to have more data: Report your runs! Note: AFWS gages can report sporadically. Here are links to the Rock Bridge hydrograph and Rock Bridge streamflow archive. Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 2.3 - 3, too high = 4. |
| 0.04 inches (rain,12 hrs) 01/21/2021 14:15 EST |
AFWS: Hogback RG | Speculative. Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels. Except for the minimum the color coding is speculative, so Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 2 - 2.25, too high = 3. | ||
| 0.04 inches (rain, 24 hrs) 01/21/2021 14:15 EST |
AFWS: Hogback RG | Speculative. Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels. Except for the minimum the color coding is speculative, so Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 3 - 4, too high = 5. | ||
| Tuckaseegee, Ela to Bryson City | II | 1640 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
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+) | 1640 cfs 10/19/2021 07:15 EDT |
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. |
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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. |
