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 Cedar Creek (Route 727 to Clinch River) | II-III | 2780 cfs (Clinch) 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT  |
USGS: Clinch (Cleveland) | Fair. Gage well downstream of PI. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1400, medium = 2000 - 3000, too high = 6000. |
| Big Creek, Lower (Downstream of NPS Campground) | IV | 1.6 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT  |
BoatingBeta.com: Big Creek at Playground Bridge VG | Very Good. Playground bridge visual gage (no visual, washed out Spring 2003): min = 1.5' opt = 2.0-3.5' max = 4.5'. Based on Oconaluftee and Cataloochee Creek flows. Overpredicts when water is less than 1.1'; predicts best in normal boatable range. Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 2 - 3.5, too high = 4.5. |
| 1190 cfs 04/01/2020 04:00 EDT |
TVA: Little Pigeon (Sevierville) | Speculative. Very dependable rule of thumb: running if TVA: Little Pigeon (Sevierville) is 1500 - 4000 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2500 - 3000, too high = 4000. | ||
| 1050 cfs 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Speculative. Dependable rule of thumb: running if USGS: Oconaluftee is 860 - 3000 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 860, medium = 1500 - 2500, too high = 3000. | ||
| 227 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: Cataloochee | Speculative. Dependable rule of thumb: running if USGS: Cataloochee is 250 - 500 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 375 - 575, too high = 650. | ||
| Big Creek, Upper (Upstream of NPS Campground) | V | 1.6 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Big Creek at Playground Bridge VG | Very Good. Playground bridge visual gage (no visual, washed out Spring 2003): min = 1.5' opt = 1.7-2.4' max = 3'. Based on Oconaluftee and Cataloochee Creek flows. Overpredicts when water is less than 1.1'; predicts best in normal boatable range. Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 1.7 - 2.4, too high = 3. |
| 1190 cfs 04/01/2020 04:00 EDT |
TVA: Little Pigeon (Sevierville) | Speculative. Very dependable rule of thumb: running if TVA: Little Pigeon (Sevierville) is 1500 - 3000 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2000 - 2500, too high = 3000. | ||
| 1050 cfs 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT  |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Speculative. Dependable rule of thumb: running if USGS: Oconaluftee is 860 - 2400 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 860, medium = 1200 - 2000, too high = 2400. | ||
| 227 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: Cataloochee | Speculative. Dependable rule of thumb: running if USGS: Cataloochee is 250 - 500 cfs. The color coding is speculation, however: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 300 - 450, too high = 500. | ||
| Big Laurel Creek | III-IV- | 290 cfs (Ivy) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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. |
| 560 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:15 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Big Laurel at US 25/70 Bridge VG | Speculative. Confirm boatability using PI visual gage before putting on: min = -1' opt = .5-2.5' max = 3.5'. This gage is a guestimate based on the difference between the French Broad at Marshall and the French Broad at Hot Springs. It is set to read 50 cfs when the flow at Marshall is greater than the flow at Hot Springs. This happens in the period after the flow from heavy rain in the French Broad headwaters has reached Marshall but not Hot Springs. Under these conditions this VG is meaningless. Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 350 - 550, too high = 800. | ||
| 0.4 (rain, 24 hr) 04/01/2020 07:30 EDT  |
AFWS: Little Laurel Creek RG | No Data. Located on a tributary to the Big Laurel. Use this rain gauge to determine when and how much rain has fallen in the Big Laurel watershed. Here's a link to the Little Laurel Creek rainfall archive. | ||
| Big South Fork of the Cumberland, Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood Ford | III-III+ | 6480 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: SF Cumberland | Excellent. Gage at TO. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 2400 - 4800, too high = 10000. |
| Cataloochee Creek | II-III (IV) | 227 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: Cataloochee | Fair. Gage mid-run. Insufficient information: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 300 - 500, too high = 700. |
| Chattooga, Section 3 | III (IV+) | 2.1 feet 04/01/2020 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+) | 2.06 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 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+ | 2.1 feet 04/01/2020 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+ | 2.06 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 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. |
| Clear Creek, Lilly to Nemo | III (III+) | 7.43 feet 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
USGS: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge | Excellent. Gage at the put-in. Alternate put-in 2.5 miles upstream at Jett. Color codes: minimum = 5.53, medium = 6.35 - 7.57, too high = 8.54. |
| 1210 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
USGS: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge | Excellent. Gage at the put-in. Alternate put-in 2.5 miles upstream at Jett. Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 450 - 1100, too high = 2000. | ||
| Clinch Gorge (Puckett Hole to Nash Ford) | II-III | 2780 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
USGS: Clinch (Cleveland) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2000 - 3500, too high = 5000. |
| Crooked Fork Creek | IV | 3860 cfs (Emory) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Emory | Fair. PI gage: min = 3.4' med = 4.2' high = 4.6'. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 3500, medium = 4000 - 5000, too high = 5500. |
| Daddy's Creek, Antioch Bridge to Devil's Breakfast Table (or Obed Junction) | III-IV | 1.91 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 CDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Daddy's Creek at Antioch Bridge Traditional VG | Fair. Boatingbeta Traditional VG: This virtual gage predicts the stage measured on the put-in visual gage by subtracting 1.7 from USGS Daddy's Creek near Hebbertsburg, TN stage reading (the math has been done for you). Confirm the actual stage on the paddler's visual gage on the Antioch bridge at the put-in. Color codes (and visual gage interpretation): minimum = 1.4, medium = 2 - 3, too high = 3.5. Important access information: As of September 2018, the Catoosa WMA (and the Devil's Breakfast Table acess point) is closed to all users every year from February 1st through the last Friday in March. The rest of the year it is open during daylight hours, though a spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency notes "it would be wise to avoid scheduling large paddling events on big game hunt days, particularly the opening days and weekends." In addtition, when possible it will be open to paddling for one day during the closed period to accomodate the Daddy's Creek Go Fast Day race. Color codes: minimum = 1.4, medium = 2 - 3, too high = 3.5. |
| 1.65 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 CDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Daddy's Creek at Antioch Bridge Statistical VG | Fair. Boatingbeta Statistical VG: This virtual gage predicts the stage measured on the put-in visual gage statistically using readings from paddler's visual observations of the put-in visual gage and the USGS Daddy' s Creek near Hebbertsburg, TN stage reading. Confirm the actual stage on the paddler's visual gage on the bridge at the put-in. Note the access information in the cell immediately above. Color codes: minimum = 1.4, medium = 2 - 3, too high = 3.5. | ||
| Doe Gorge | IV | 368 cfs 04/01/2020 04:00 EDT |
TVA: Doe | Excellent. TVA : Doe. Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 450 - 700, too high = 1200. |
| French Broad, Alexander Wave | (II) Park and Play | 2460 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
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-) | 3310 cfs 04/01/2020 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 | 2460 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
USGS: FB (Asheville) | Excellent. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600. |
| French Broad, Ledges | (II) Park and Play | 2460 cfs 04/01/2020 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 | 2460 cfs 04/01/2020 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 | 1170 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 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-) | 3310 cfs 04/01/2020 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 | 2460 cfs 04/01/2020 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-- | 890 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:45 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. |
| Gauley, Lower | III-IV+ | 2500 cfs 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Gauley Above Belva | Very Good. This gage measures 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. |
| Ivy, Forks of Ivy to Eller Cove Road | I-II (II+) | 290 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: Ivy | Poor. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 250 - 350, too high = 400. |
| Little (AL), Powell Trail to Mouth | II | 777 cfs 04/01/2020 05:00 CDT |
USGS: Little (near Blue Pond) | Excellent. Gage is located at the take-out. An alternate gage is located about 13 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 = 400, medium = 800 - 3000, too high = 4000. |
| Little (AL), Rt 35 to Upper Two (Suicide) | IV-V | 777 cfs 04/01/2020 05:00 CDT |
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+) | 777 cfs 04/01/2020 05:00 CDT |
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), Metcalf Bottoms to the Elbow (Sinks) | IV-IV+ | 2.64 feet 04/01/2020 07:24 EDT |
AFWS: Little River (Townsend) SG | Excellent.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. Note: AFWS gages can report sporadically. Here are links to the Little River (Townsend) hydrograph and Little River (Townsend) streamflow archive. Color codes: minimum = 2.4, medium = 2.9 - 3.5, too high = 5. |
| 464 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 07:24 EDT |
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 Tennessee, Iotla to Lost Bridge | I-II | 1740 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 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+ | 1740 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 EDT |
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) | Excellent. Gage near PI. Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 2000, too high = 2500. |
| New River Gorge | III-IV | 12900 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 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 | 6.56 feet (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:45 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 | 2250 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
USGS: Nolichucky | Excellent The gage is located within minutes of the hole. Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 550 - 650, too high = 900. |
| Nolichucky, Cowbell | (II) Mystery moves | 2250 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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 | 2250 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 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 | 3671 cfs 04/01/2020 05:00 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. |
| Obed, Devil's Breakfast Table to Nemo | II-III (IV+) | 3860 cfs (Emory) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Emory | Fair. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2500 - 3500, too high = 5000. |
| Obed, US 127 to Adams Bridge (Gould Bend) | III+ | 3860 cfs (Emory) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Emory | Excellent. Run well upstream of gage. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 2500, medium = 3500 - 7500, too high = 8500. |
| Ocoee, Callahan's Ledges | (III) Park and Play | 1511 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #3 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #3 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur late-April - late-September; 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 unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Upper Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 1300, medium = 1500 - 1700, too high = 2200. |
| Ocoee, Flipper | (II) Park and Play | 2208 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 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 | 2208 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 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+ | 2208 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 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. |
| Ocoee, Smiley's | (III) Park and Play | 1511 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #3 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #3 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur late-April - late-September; 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 unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Upper Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 1100, medium = 1200 - 1600, too high = 1900. |
| Ocoee, Upper | III+ | 1511 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #3 Dam VG TVA: Ocoee #3 |
Excellent. Scheduled releases occur late-April - late-September; 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 unscheduled spills, etc. Annual calendar of scheduled Upper Ocoee releases. Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1000 - 2400, too high = 3200. |
| Ocoee, Whirly Bird (Staging Eddy) | (II+) Park and Play | 2208 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:00 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 = 2000, medium = 2400 - 3600, too high = 3800. |
| Oconaluftee | II-III | 1050 cfs 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Poor. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 360, medium = 500 - 800, too high = 1500. |
| Powell (Appalachia to Big Stone Gap) | III-IV | 1680 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
USGS: Powell (Jonesville) | Very Good. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 950, medium = 800 - 1200, too high = 1500. |
| Raven Fork, Straight Fork to Job Corps Center Bridge | II-III | 1050 cfs (Oconaluftee) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Very Good. Gage located several miles downstream of usual takeout. Currently closed to paddling! Color codes: minimum = 650, medium = 1000 - 1500, too high = 2000. |
| Raven Fork, The Gorges | V-V+ (VI) | 1050 cfs (Oconaluftee) 04/01/2020 07:00 EDT |
USGS: Oconaluftee | Fair. AFWS: Trout Farm SG min = 1.6'. Insufficient observations: Report your runs! Color codes: minimum = 750, medium = 900 - 1200, too high = 1500. |
| Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Gorge | IV-V | 2055 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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-) | 2055 cfs (estimated) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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 | 2930 cfs 04/01/2020 07:15 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 | 291 cfs 04/01/2020 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. |
| Tellico, Middle (Bridge below Jerrods Knee to Oosterneck parking area) | III+ | 2.44 feet 04/01/2020 07:15 EDT |
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. |
| 617 cfs 04/01/2020 07:15 EDT |
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 | 2.44 feet 04/01/2020 07:15 EDT |
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. |
| 617 cfs 04/01/2020 07:15 EDT |
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 | 2250 cfs (Nolichucky) 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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. |
| Tuckaseegee, Devil's Dip | (II) Park and Play | 2920 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 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 | 1680 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 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 | 5.88 feet 04/01/2020 06:40 EDT |
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. |
| NA inches (rain,12 hrs) 04/01/2020 07:30 EDT |
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. | ||
| NA inches (rain, 24 hrs) 04/01/2020 07:30 EDT |
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 | 2920 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 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, West Fork | III-IV+ (V) | 264 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: West Fork Tuckaseegeee VG | Speculative. Calculated by subtracting the Thorpe and Cedar Cliff PH releases from the Tuck at Cullowhee flow. When flows appear high enough to boat, Duke Power is spilling water out of either/or Cedar Cliff and Glenville Lakes. Water spilled from Cedar Cliff can lead to a skunking; water spilled from Glenville for reasons other than recreation can lead to dangerous conditions. Duke Power posts information regarding spills from Cedar Cliff Lake on their Cedar Cliff Lake Message Page and from Lake Glenville on their Lake Glenville Message Page. They also post updated information on their recreational WF releases, including when those scheduled releases are cancelled, at the same link. An annual calendar of scheduled releases is available at Duke Power's West Fork Tuckasegee River Bypass Releases (select Nantahala Area on the dropdown menu; the link will be on the right side of the page you are taken to). Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 300 - 350, too high = 400. |
| Tuckaseegee, Whittier to Ela | II (II+) | 2920 cfs 04/01/2020 06:15 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. |
| Watauga Gorge | IV-V- | 218 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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 | 1031.8 inches (estimated) 04/01/2020 07:10 EDT |
BoatingBeta.com: Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge VG | Re-estimation Needed. 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. |
| 89.19 feet 04/01/2020 07:10 EDT |
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. | ||
| 452 cfs 04/01/2020 07:15 EDT |
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. | ||
| 218 cfs 04/01/2020 06:30 EDT |
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. | ||
| 64.1 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
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. | ||
| Youghiogheny, Upper | IV-V- | 537 cfs 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
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. |
| 3.08 feet 04/01/2020 06:45 EDT |
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. |
You loaded this page on Wednesday, April 01, 2020 at 07:45 hours EDT.
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. |
