The Southeast is rich in rainfall and mountains, making it a whitewater treasure and a hot spot for hydropower development. The rivers in this region are some of the oldest and most biologically rich in the country and are world famous for their whitewater. A host of recent dam relicensings have provided opportunities to restore some of the best regional rivers that were lost to dams in the early 1900’s. To meet the needs of the large paddling community in the Southeast we work hard to increase responsible access to rivers, and to make sure those rivers are protected from the ecological pressures associated with rapid population growth.
Recent Successes:
- Signed settlement agreement on the Nantahala River that secures and improves the over 230 releases on the Lower Nantahala and will provide 8 days of releases per year on the Upper Nantahala. The agreement also improves minimum flows, public access, and flow information.
- Signed settlement agreement on the Tuckasegee River that secures and improves 168 releases on the Lower Tuckasegee and will provide 7 days of releases per year on the West Fork of the Tuck. The agreement also calls for the removal of Dillsboro Dam, protects a piece of land, provides nearly $1,000,000 for river conservation, and improves minimum flows, public access and flow information.
- Successfully advocated for 54 days of recreational releases on the Upper Ocoee
- Negotiated access to the Little River in NC’s Dupont State Forest
- Purchased and manage the Watauga River Take out
- Assisted with the purchase of an access site on the Cartecay River
- Defeated unreasonable proposed fee system, and advocated for improved water quality on the Pigeon River
- Assisted in the restoration of emergency hiking access to the Green River Narrows
- Negotiated and manage 10 annual releases on the Tallulah River
Ongoing Projects:
- Nantahala and Tuckasegee relicensing
- Catawba River Relicensing
- Headwaters of the Chattooga Access
- Upper Ocoee release negotiations
- Cheoah River relicensing
- Coosa River relicensing
- Twelvemile Creek dam removals
- Addition of releases to the Tallulah River
- TVA Reservoir Operation Study as it affects Hiawassee and other Rivers
- Saluda River Relicensing
Future Challenges:
- Securing permanent public access for the Green River in NC
- Improving river access laws in GA
- Horsepasture River Access in NC
- Restoring flow to the Pigeon River Dries
- Improving water quality across the region
- Opening access to the Oconoluftee River
- Opening access to the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area.