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Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

Runnable as low as 100 cfs but you gotta be really hardup. Ideal is from 250-400 cfs. The Watauga gets harder and harder the higher the flow. There aren't many boaters willing to run it over 650 cfs and those that do often portage some of drops (especially Hydro). The exception to this general rule is Stateline Falls, which is actually harder at very low levels than it is at moderate levels because the ankle-breaking rock just to the left of the landing zone becomes less padded. To find out what the Watauga is running, call the TVA at 800-238-2264 and press 3 or online at Boating Beta - My Flows or here. Note the Sugargrove gauge is upstream of the Gorge itself and can sometimes read low compared to actual conditions in the gorge due to feeder creeks downstream of the gauge.

IV to IV+(V-) (fun in a drought low) 100-150 cfs

IV to V- (low) 150-250 cfs
IV to V- (ideal) 250-400 cfs
IV+ to V (pushy) 400-650 cfs
V (screaming) over 650 cfs

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE, NC
usgs-03479000 150 - 650 cfs IV-V 02h33m 254 cfs (rc= 0.2 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
150 - 650 cfs barely runnable-high runnable IV-V

Report - Reports of Watauga 5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Watauga [NC] Hydro entrance n/a Lee Timmons
Watauga [NC] n/a Lee Timmons
Watauga [NC] Stateline Falls 250? Matthew Christie
Watauga [NC] Let there be boof, and there was. 270 CFS Nathaniel Lesch-Huie
Watauga [NC] Stateline 240 Chris Roberts
Watauga [NC] Stateline n/a Chris Roberts
Watauga [NC] Hydro 275 Chris Roberts
Watauga [NC] Stateline Falls 280cfs Max Jones
Watauga [NC] Split Decision n/a will reeves
Watauga [NC] Lovin' it! 250cfs Dana Culbreth and Will Hanna
Watauga [NC] Hydro n/a Matt Muir
80d13h23m @Watauga 5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access [NC] Watauga n/a royce cowan
124d17h31m Watauga5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access [NC] Watauga Takeout Parking n/a Jeff Paine
124d17h41m Watauga5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access [NC] Watauga Takeout Sign n/a Jeff Paine
205d16h09m @Watauga 5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access Heavy Water n/a Mark Stover
205d16h17m Watauga [NC] Account of 12/04/09 n/a n/a
1y254d05h17m Watauga [NC] Stateline Falls 340 cfs Mark Stover
3y198d13h17m Watauga [NC] Watauga Take-out Upgrade n/a Michael Mayfield
3y334d13h17m Watauga [NC] Watauga take-out before upgrades n/a Michael Mayfield
4y229d13h17m Watauga [NC] Stateline Falls 280 cfs John Eskew

Report Table Options

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