Gauge Description:

Just hit #2 on your speed dial.... or call (800) 829-5253, followed by prompts 3-2-1, to hear a daily recording from the Tuxedo Hydro Plant --- usually out by 7:30 a.m. and now often updated for three days as well. Releases are shown and historically tracked on the Green River Flows Page, with the options being 60%, 100%, and 200%. The standard 100% release reportedly delivers about 216 cfs of water into the gorge below the hydro plant --- which you will wait 2 1/2 hours for, and 4 Megawatts of electricity to the people of North Carolina --- instantly.

The Gauge: Installed in 2005, and located a couple of minor rapids below the confluence with Big Hungry, there is a stick gauge affixed to a rock on your right. This gauge supplants the well-known "gauge rock" which was pushed out of the way by the hurricanes and high water in the Fall of 2004. Recent rains will add to the flow from a series of small tributaries, with the lion's share coming from Big Hungry Creek. You can check the local rainfall for Henderson County (Gauge #1841, Dana, being the closest). Also, be aware of lake levels and their impact. Attempts are made to keep Winter levels around 95' and Summer levels around 98', with levels over 100' indicating water flowing over the top of the dam. Understanding lake levels and trends can help with the risky business of predicting releases ahead of time. By following the lake level time stamps reported on the Green River Flows Page, one can see the lake drop during the day or overnight, and bets can be placed accordingly if they fail to update the phone message. A 100% 7a.m. - 3p.m. release can drop the lake .3 -.5 feet.