Little Emory, Middle Fork,

Stephens to below Coalfield

Usual Difficulty	III-IV(V) (may vary with level)
Length	3 Miles
Avg. Gradient	60 fpm
Max Gradient	200 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
EMORY RIVER AT OAKDALE, TN
usgs-03540500	15000 - 50000 cfs	III-IV(V)	00h41m	2860 cfs (rc= -0.3 )

River Description

This stretch is just really 2 different park and huck options. The top one begins right under the Hwy 62 bridge with a 20 foot waterfall. It has supposedly been run, but you need LOTS of water for the veil to clear the rocks underneath. Shallow landing too. Next is tight blasted class 3 boogie with pinny rocks everywhere. Soon after there is a small bedrock slide rapid. Drive right away from the undercut left wall and then get ready for a sweet 10 foot boof. Not sure of the depth here either, so get a good boof. After this there are a few more junk rapids and then it calms down and starts going through backyards. I recommend taking out at the dumping station on the other side of the road at the bottom of this 3/4 mile stretch.

Next, you can drive into Coalfield and past the High School and see the double drop known as Coalfield Falls. Right below where the road crosses Middle Fork, the creek drops off a 16 foot waterfall. The landing is shallow, so hold that boof and keep your weight forward. MOre water is better, as the lip is like most plateau lips, grabby. Below here is a 20-25 foot cascade that drops into a mini-canyon Run down the left, as this is the only non-painfull line. Its a fun bouncy slide. After this, hiking out would be through someone's yard, so truck on down a 1/2 mile to a bridge takeout. Consult with the landowners before parking at the takeout, and if you are scouting at the top of the stretch, you will be on someone's private land on river left as well. They seem like nice folks though, so just let them know what you are up to and it shouldn't be a problem. The paddle out is boney and class 2.

Have fun, This is a good run when you have only an hour and are on your way home or on your way somewhere else.