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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

Runs and Levels
Run Class Current Level Reference Gage Gage Quality & Information
Big Creek, Lower (Downstream of NPS Campground) IV 1.11 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
944 cfs
04/17/2020 09:00 EDT fall		 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.
304 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
70.1 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT hold		 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 Laurel Creek III-IV- 492 cfs
(Ivy)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 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.
2300 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT down		 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.
0.32 (rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 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+ 306 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT hold		 USGS: SF Cumberland Excellent.  Gage at TO.  Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 2400 - 4800, too high = 10000.
Brush Creek IV-V 492 cfs
(Ivy)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 USGS: Ivy Poor.  Insufficient information:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1000 - 2500, too high = 3000.
Caney Fork (Rock Island) (IV) Park and Play 6329 cfs 
04/17/2020 10:00 CDT fall		 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 hold		 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+) 1.67 feet
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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+) 1.51 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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+ 1.67 feet
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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+ 1.51 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
Chauga Gorge IV 1.67 feet
(Chattooga)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Chattooga Speculative.  Cassidy Bridge PI visual gage: min = -3" opt = +3"-1' max = 2'.  Poor correlation with online gage.   Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 2.2, medium = 2.6 - 3.4, too high = 4.
Cheoah III-IV+ 146 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Cheoah Excellent.  Gage located at start of bottom third of run.  Bottom third can be enjoyably run at lower levels -- perhaps as low as 450 cfs depending on one's capacity for boat abuse.  Annual calendar of scheduled Cheoah releases.  Color codes: minimum = 800, medium = 1000 - 1500, too high = 2000.
Citico Creek III-IV 1.13 feet
(Tellico)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Tellico Poor.  Visual: min = +3" over bridge at PI, opt = 6"-1', max = +1.5'.   Tellico rising; heavy rainfall in region (esp. Chestnut Flats).  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 3.5, medium = 4 - 5, too high = 6.
Clear Creek, Lilly to Nemo III (III+) 4.76 feet
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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.
66.3 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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.
Crab Orchard Creek III-IV 278 cfs
(Emory)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Emory Poor   PI visual gage: min = 6" flow over ford.  Run well upstream of gage.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 7000, medium = 10000 - 12000, too high = 15000.
Crooked Fork Creek IV 278 cfs
(Emory)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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 -0.04 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 03:00 CDT hold		 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.
-1.82 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 03:00 CDT hold		 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.
Davidson River III+(IV) 0.88 feet
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT hold		 USGS: Davidson River Good.  Gage located eight or nine miles downstream from take out; reading includes Looking Glass Creek.  I've lost my notes on the levels for this gage -- please help me set the color coding (what you see is a guess!):   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 2.5 - 3.5, too high = 4.5.
Doe Gorge IV 435 cfs
04/17/2020 09:00 EDT fall		 TVA: Doe Excellent.  TVA : Doe.  Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 450 - 700, too high = 1200.
Elk River, Twisting Falls IV-V (VI) 318 cfs
(Watauga)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 USGS: Watauga Speculative.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 450, medium = 600 - 900, too high = 1200.
French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) III (IV-) 5160 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT fall		 USGS: FB (Marshall) Excellent.   Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000.
French Broad, North Fork IV-IV+ 153 cfs
(FB@Rosman)
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold		 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, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) III (IV-) 5160 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT fall		 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, West Fork IV-IV+ 153 cfs
(FB@Rosman)
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold		 USGS: FB (Rosman) Fair.  Run well upstream of gage.   Often runnable a couple hours longer than the NF.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 450, medium = 500 - 1700, too high = 2500.
Gauley, Upper IV-V-- 486 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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+ 682 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
Green, Dries III-V 0 feet over dam
08/05/2020 23:50 EDT hold		 BoatingBeta.com: Green River Below Summit Lake VG Fair.  The Dries aren't paddled as often as they should be so I don't have as much information as I'd like to.  I do, however, have a table describing the relationship between spill over the dam and cfs in the Dries.  It is based on an old Duke Power table displaying lake levels by tenths of a foot from 100.1 to 101.0 and the corresponding CFS values.  I filled in the gaps and extrapolated beyond Duke's table using Excel to fit a second order polynomial.  I also created two graphs displaying the relationship between spill over the dam and cfs in the Dries from 100.00 to 101.00 feet and from 100.00 to 103.00 feet.  Color codes: minimum = 0.6, medium = 0.7 - 0.8, too high = 0.9.
0 cfs
(estimate)
08/05/2020 23:50 EDT hold		 BoatingBeta.com: Green River Below Summit Lake VG Fair.  Too few reports.  Color coding consistent with that on dam spill, but I have little beta connected levels to difficulty.  Color codes: minimum = 330, medium = 420 - 510, too high = 605.
Island Creek, Catoosa Bridge to Emory River III-IV+ 278 cfs
(Emory)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Emory Fair.  Gage on river to which Island Creek is a tributary.  Painted gage on downstream center pier of put-in bridge: min = 2" opt = 1' high = 1.5' (begins to get pushy).  Alternate put-in 6 miles upstream at Catoosa Road.  Color codes: minimum = 10000, medium = 14000 - 20000, too high = 30000.
66.3 cfs
(proxy)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 USGS: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge Speculative.  Gage located in a related watershed.  Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 1500 - 2300, too high = 3500.
Little (AL), Rt 35 to Upper Two (Suicide) IV-V 43.9 cfs
05/29/2023 03:00 CDT hold		 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+) 43.9 cfs
05/29/2023 03:00 CDT hold		 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+ 2.06 feet
01/21/2021 14:09 EST hold		 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.
221 cfs (estimated)
01/21/2021 14:09 EST hold		 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 2.06 feet
(tributary)
01/21/2021 14:09 EST hold		 AFWS: Little River (Townsend) SG Fair.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.  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Little River (Townsend) hydrograph and Little River (Townsend) streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 3, medium = 3.6 - 4.3, too high = 6.
221 cfs (estimated)
01/21/2021 14:09 EST hold		 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
NAnone		 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 Clear Creek, Highway 62 to Lilly IV-V- 4.76 feet
(Clear Creek)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 USGS: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge Good.  Gage on Clear Creek near confluence with Little Clear Creek.  Color codes: minimum = 7.7, medium = 8.06 - 8.78, too high = 9.55.
66.3 cfs
(proxy)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 USGS: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge Good.  USGS gage on Clear Creek near confluence with Little Clear Creek.  Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 1500 - 2300, too high = 3500.
Little Pigeon, Middle Prong, Trailhead to Porters Creek (Ramsey Cascades) IV-V- 944 cfs
04/17/2020 09:00 EDT hold		 TVA: Little Pigeon (Sevierville) Poor.  Route 321 bridge visual gage: min = 2'.  Runs when W. Prong on high side.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 3000, medium = 3500 - 4000, too high = 4500.
Nantahala, Cascades IV-V- 15 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT hold		 BoatingBeta.com: Nantahala Cascades VG Good  When the powerhouse is operating, this gage is calculated by subtracting 714 cfs (the power house's "hydraulic capacity") from the USGS: Nantahala at Hewett gage (near Ferebee Park, a couple miles downstream of the Cascades) and then subtracting an additional amount representing the water flowing into the gorge below the Cascades TO.   When the power house is shut down the calculation is the same except 714 cfs isn't subtracted.  As always, I'd love feedback based on your experience comparing the predicted level just before a run with your subjective evaluation of the level.  Duke Power posts updates about the scheduled Cascade releases at their Nantahala Lake Message Page, including when those scheduled releases are cancelled.  Finally, an annual calendar of scheduled releases is available at Duke Power's Nantahala Release Bypass Flow Schedule (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 = 200, medium = 250 - 350, too high = 600.
New River Gorge III-IV 4060 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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 1.66 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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, Gorge III-IV 4920 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 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.
Obed, Devil's Breakfast Table to Nemo II-III (IV+) 278 cfs
(Emory)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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+ 278 cfs
(Emory)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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 476 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold		 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, Hellhole (III) Park and Play 1133 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold		 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 hold		 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 476 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold		 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+ 476 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold		 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.
Pigeon (Big), Dries IV-IV+ (2@V) 0 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 BoatingBeta.com: Pigeon River Below Walters Dam VG Poor.  Insufficient observations:   Report levels relative to Harmon Den low water bridge (inches below top of the bridge) or the upstream river right bricks (water up to which brick, brick #1 = most river right, amount of brick underwater).  Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 800, too high = 1500.
Pigeon (Big), Gorge (Big Creek to Hartford) III-III+ Walters HyS
05/29: Release from 12m to 12m.
05/30: Release from 11:15am to 6pm.
05/31: Release from 11:15am to 6pm. 
05/29/2023 05:10 EDT none		 Duke Energy: Walters Hydro Station RS Sometimes Funky.  This is the most recent schedule as posted by Duke Energy.  Sometimes the Duke Power Employee who enters/updates these schedules does so incorrectly (entering 12am instead of 12pm, or entering the same values twice.  This leads to weird schedules that won't display right on this page and will require judgment on your part.  In addition, these schedules can (and do!) change from day to day and over the course of the day (as the old recording used to say, "Operational schedules are determined daily"), so don't take them as gospel.  That said, an annual calendar of scheduled releases is available at Duke Power's Walters Recreation Flow Calendar (select Pigeon River on the dropdown menu; the link will be on the right side of the page you are taken to).
893 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT fall		 USGS: Pigeon (Waterville) Excellent.  Gage half mile downstream from put-in.  Annual calendar of scheduled Pigeon Gorge releases.  Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 1200 - 2200, too high = 8000.
Pigeon (Big), West Fork V 59.2 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold		 USGS: WF Pigeon Very Good.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 280, medium = 400 - 800, too high = 1000.
Powell (Appalachia to Big Stone Gap) III-IV 396 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 USGS: Powell (Jonesville) Very Good.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 950, medium = 800 - 1200, too high = 1500.
Rocky Broad, Lower IV-V- 3.44 feet
01/21/2021 09:55 EST hold		 AFWS: Bat Cave SG Fair.  Gage at the put-in but online readings can be flaky;  as of 12/1/2010 the online and US 64 Bridge visual gage readings are very close (we'll see how long this lasts!).  Based on your reports (Report your runs!) I periodically update the online gage color coding so that it corresponds to the following visual gage interpretations:  min = 3.6' opt = 3.9-4.1' max = 4.3'.  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Bat Cave (Rocky Broad) hydrograph and Bat Cave streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 3.6, medium = 3.9 - 4.1, too high = 4.3.
Rocky Broad, Upper IV-V- 3.44 feet
01/21/2021 09:55 EST hold		 AFWS: Bat Cave SG Fair.  Gage downstream of several feeder streams at the end of the run plus the online readings can be flaky;  the only way to be certain the Upper is running is to eyeball it at the put-in.  Fortunately, if you get skunked on the Upper the Lower is almost certainly running.  As of 12/1/2010 the online and US 64 Bridge visual gage readings are very close;  since they've drifted a lot over the years, here are visual gage interpretations:  min = 4.3' opt = 4.4-4.6' max = 4.8' on the US 64 Bridge visual gage.  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Bat Cave (Rocky Broad) hydrograph and Bat Cave streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 4.3, medium = 4.4 - 4.6, too high = 4.8.
Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Gorge IV-V 1672 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 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.
Saluda, Middle Fork IV ? 2.09 feet
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 USGS: Middle Saluda Speculative.  Color coding completely a guess.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 3.6, medium = 3.8 - 4.1, too high = 4.3.
Santeetlah Creek, Lower III-IV 1.13 feet
(Tellico)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Tellico Speculative.  Color coding inspired guesswork.  Look for rainfall over 2" in 24 hours: AFWS: Graham County.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 4.5, medium = 5 - 6, too high = 7.
Slickrock Creek IV-V 1.13 feet
(Tellico)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Tellico Speculative. Paddle to confluence with Calderwood reservoir to confirm that level looks reasonable.  Color coding inspired guesswork.  Look for rainfall over 2" in 24 hours: AFWS: Graham County.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 5, medium = 6 - 7, too high = 8.
Snowbird Creek III-IV+ 1.13 feet
(Tellico)
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 USGS: Tellico Speculative.  Color coding inspired guesswork.  Look for rainfall over 2" in 24 hours: AFWS: Graham County.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 4.5, medium = 5 - 6, too high = 7.
3.78 feet
01/21/2021 13:40 EST none		 AFWS: Snowbird Creek SG No Data.  I have no flow coding information for this gage but once we have it dialed in it ought to be a great resource:  Report your runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Snowbird Creek hydrograph and Snowbird Creek streamflow archive.
Spring Creek III-III+ (V) 0.28 inches
(rain, 24 hrs)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Duckett Top RG Poor.  25-70 bridge visual gage: min. = 9", opt. = 1.5-2.5', max = 3'.  If Big Laurel Creek is running at least 2', check to see if Spring Creek is running.  Look for 2" of rain in 24 hours on the Duckett Top gage.
Tallulah Gorge IV (V) 38.6 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold		 USGS: Tallulah Excellent.  Gage near end of whitewater section.  Illegal to paddle on non-release days (first 2 April weekends and first 3 November weekends).  Annual calendar of scheduled Tallulah releases.  Color codes: minimum = 450, medium = 500 - 750, too high = 1200.
Tanasee Creek IV+-V 1.54 feet
01/21/2021 13:55 EST hold		 AFWS: Tanasee Creek SG Excellent / Speculative.  Gage at the put-in but very little experience reading it.  Visually, if it looks like there is barely enough water to float a boat there is enough to run the creek -- a tributary adds water a couple hundred yards downstream.  I've been told that if the creek appears to be running at a good level at the put-in it will be very pushy downstream.  As always - - but especially so on this tight, wood-catching seldom run reach -- rely on your eyes and good judgement, not these speculative flow codes.  Note that the IV+ rating is for low water runs, the V for moderate water runs.  The closest road follows the creek on river right 400-800 difficult vertical feet above it.  Let's get this gage dialed in:   Report your runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Tanasee Creek hydrograph and Tanasee Creek streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 2.85, medium = 3 - 3.25, too high = 3.4.
Tellico, Middle (Bridge below Jerrods Knee to Oosterneck parking area) III+ 1.13 feet
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
139 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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 1.13 feet
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
139 cfs
05/29/2023 04:00 EDT hold		 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.
Tennessee Laurel Creek (Highway 91 to Whitetop Laurel Creek) III 801 cfs
(SF Holston)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 USGS: SF Holston (Damascus) Fair.  Gage well downstream of PI.   Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2000 - 3000, too high = 5000.
Tuckaseegee, East Fork, Granny Burrel Falls to Rock Bridge (Upper Upper EF Tuckaseegee) IV-V 5.41 feet
01/21/2021 13:40 EST hold		 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 hold		 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 hold		 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, West Fork III-IV+ (V) 50 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold		 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.
Watauga Gorge IV-V- 318 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 USGS: Watauga Very Good.  Gage 2 miles upstream of PI.  Color codes: minimum = 160, medium = 250 - 500, too high = 1200.
Watauga, Red Roof IV-V- 1.94 feet
01/21/2021 13:40 EST hold		 AFWS: Watauga River/Foscoe SG Excellent.  Gage near put-in.  Difficulty rating is for section below dam.  Thank Eric Chance for this beta!  We can always use more:  Report your Red Roof runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Watauga River/Foscoe hydrograph and Watauga River/Foscoe streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 4.5, medium = 5.5 - 6.5, too high = 8.
Whitetop Laurel Creek (Station Creek to Route 58 near Damascus) III-IV 801 cfs
(SF Holston)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 USGS: SF Holston (Damascus) Fair.  Gage well downstream of PI.   Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1500, medium = 2000 - 3000, too high = 5000.
Wilson Creek, Gorge (flows) IV 2.85 feet
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 USGS: Wilson Creek (Adako Bridge) Excellent.  This USGS gage is located on Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge, essentially at the location of the traditional paddler's gage.  Color codes: minimum = 2.5, medium = 3 - 3.5, too high = 4.
-1.8 inches
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 BoatingBeta.com: Wilson Creek VG Excellent.  This gage is based on the USGS gage located on Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge.nbsp; The USGS gage was set to make it read 3 feet when the traditional paddler's gage reads 0.  Color codes: minimum = -6, medium = 0 - 6, too high = 12.
791 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT fall		 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.
318 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall		 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.
58.8 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 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.
Wilson Creek, Gorge (rainfall) IV NA inches
(rain, 12 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Edgemont RG No Data.  Located on Wilson Creek eight miles upstream of the Gorge.  Use this and the rest of the WC rain gauges to determine where the rain has fallen and how much faith can be placed in the boatingbeta Adako Bridge virtual gage.  The virtual gage is most likely to be accurate when the rainfall is widespread.  If over an inch of rain has fallen at the Edgemont gauge in the past 24 hours there's a good chance Wilson Creek is running even if the virtual gage says it is not;  if the Edgemont gauge hasn't received much rain but the other gauges have, there is a good chance the rain fell west or north of the Wilson Creek watershed and Wilson Creek is not running even if the virtual gage says it is.  Inaccuracy in the virtual gage is most likely to occur in the summer due to the localized nature of summer thunderstorms.  Note:  Wilson Creek will continue to run for many days after significant rainfall.  Here's a link to the Edgemont rainfall archive.
0.04 inches
(rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Grandfather Meadows RG No Data.  Located north west of the Wilson Creek watershed, at the tippy top of the Linville watershed and just south of the tippy top of the Watauga watershed.  Very close to the top of the Eastern Continental Divide.  Note:  Wilson Creek will continue to run for many days after significant rainfall.  Here's a link to the Grandfather Meadows rainfall archive.
NA inches
(rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Globe RG No Data.  Located on Johns River, one ridge east and slightly north of the Edgemont gauge.  Note:  Wilson Creek will continue to run for many days after significant rainfall.  Here's a link to the Globe rainfall archive.
0 inches
(rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Near Mulberry RG No Data.  Located two ridges east of Wilson Creek;  like Wilson Creek, a tributary to the Johns River.  Note:  Wilson Creek will continue to run for many days after significant rainfall.  Here's a link to the Near Mulberry rainfall archive.
0 inches
(rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none		 AFWS: Bailey Camp RG No Data.  Located three ridges east of Wilson Creek, high in the Yadkin watershed, and close to the Eastern Continental Divide.  Note:  Wilson Creek will continue to run for many days after significant rainfall.  Here's a link to the Bailey Camp rainfall archive.
Yadkin, Upper IV 58.8 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 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- 172 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall		 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.
2.51 feet
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold		 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

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

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.