Nantahala,

2. Route 1310 Bridge to Hwy. 19 (Upper Nantahala)

Usual Difficulty	III (may vary with level)
Length	3.2 Miles
Avg. Gradient	100 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
NANTAHALA RIVER NEAR HEWITT, NC
usgs-03505550	500 - 2000 cfs	III	01h25m	749 cfs (rc= 0.2 )

River Description

Nice little run for those already in the area looking for a good step-up from the Gorge run; though the Upper Nantahala is not nearly as difficult as the upstream Cascades.

Depending on the water level, the run consists of fairly continuous creeky Class II-III boogie water for about three miles. There is one drop of significance for this run, perhaps Class 3+. This drop is directly under the first bridge below the put-in bridge. Since the run is completely roadside, you will see it on your way up. Depending on the water level, this four-foot pourover has a nasty little hole and can toss you around underneath the bridge. The take-out is the standard Nantahala put-in. Due to how short the run is most folks that run the Upper Nantahala run down through the Gorge, or at least until Ferabee Park.

The put-in is five bridges upstream. If you start to see large class five looking drops and waterfalls, you've gone to far upstream. There is a big turnout just before the bridge that is a good place to set shuttle and unload boats.

American Whitewater is currently in the process of relicensing the dewatered reaches of the Nantahala. Scheduled flows should come to the Upper Nantahala by 2005.