The US Forest service recently announced their access plan for the fall Cheoah River releases, and possibly the 2006 releases as well. The plan, described in detail in their press release (below), requires all paddlers to pay a $16 fee and ride a shuttle from Robbinsville. Until new access areas are built next year, a shuttle is the only option for river access since parking is very limited throughout the Cheoah River Gorge. Ten dollars of the fee will pay for the actual shuttle from Robbinsville to the put-in and back from the take-out to robbinsville. Three dollars of the fee goes to the forest service which they will use to build and maintain the river access areas. The last three dollars goes to Graham County, and is basically rent for using a parking lot in Robbinsville, which may be a short term solution.
The Cheoah is a new recreational resource and its management will be a work in progress for the coming years. Paddlers will have the opportunity to formally comment on the access situation next year (and can informally offer comments and ideas to the USFS any time), and we are confident that time and experience will reveal better solutions to the access limitations on the Cheoah. AW has worked very hard to bring the Cheoah back to life and we are equally committed to making sure its management is the best it can be. We’re working with the Forest Service toward this shared goal, and are confident that the situation will improve in the near future.
While these early releases may be a bit logistically special, it beats a permit system hands down and should be fairly user friendly. Thankfully – the Cheoah is totally worth it.
Be safe out there – and have fun!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 23, 2005
CONTACT:
Frank Findley
828-479-6431
Boating Flows on the Cheoah River to Begin September 17
ROBBINSVILLE, N.C.— Flows on the Cheoah River will be increased to offer high
quality recreational boating beginning on September 17. For the first time in 70 years –
since construction of the Santeetlah Dam – recreational boating will be possible on the
river. Two additional flows are scheduled for October 1 and November 2. Nineteen
similar one-day releases are scheduled on an annual basis beginning in 2006. The
Cheoah River is located on the Nantahala National Forest near Robbinsville. The U.S.
Forest Service will be managing the recreational activities.
The river has many Class IV/IV+ rapids and lots of residual vegetation that will require a
high skill level to negotiate—only advanced or expert boaters with proper equipment
should attempt running the river this fall. While not offered in 2005, in future years,
expert guides will be available to lead raft trips.
Because there is very limited parking adjacent to the river, it is strongly recommended
boaters use the shuttle service [AW NOTE: This service is actually MANDATORY]. The
September 17 and October 1 shuttles will leave from Robbinsville High School. For the
November 2 release, shuttles will pick up boaters at the old gym located on Knight Street
in Robbinsville just off US 129. The total cost for boaters will be $16 – this includes $10 for
the shuttle service (which includes a trip to
scout the river, transportation to the put-ins, and return from the take-out); $3 to the
Forest Service for current facility rentals and for future river construction projects, and a
$3 parking fee to support the Graham County Rescue Squad. The first shuttle will leave
the High School at 8 AM and they will depart in 15-minute increments, with the last
shuttle leaving from the take-outs at 5 PM. Shuttles have the ability to transport
passengers along with their boats and equipment. Launch windows will be assigned on a
first-come, first-served basis. Each shuttle is limited to a maximum of 16 hard boats
(canoes or kayaks) or six rafts.
The high water section of the Cheoah River is nine miles long. To ensure public safety,
the following regulations will be enforced on the Cheoah River during recreational
boating days:
• No alcoholic beverages within 500 feet of the river.
• No camping within 500 feet of the river.
• No nighttime floating, rafting, or tubing (between sunset and sunrise).
• No parking within 500 feet of the river, except in designated parking areas.
• No watercraft used other than non-motorized, hard-bottom canoes and kayaks, or
inflatable watercraft with a minimum of four (4) internal air chambers.
• Users must wear a helmet and a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD)
rated “Coast Guard Approved (Type III, III/V, or V)”.
During the 2005 releases the Forest Service will be conducting a capacity analysis to
determine the number and type of boaters that can safely use the river for future years.
The information generated will help manage future private and commercial use of the
river in accordance with our Forest Plan Standards.
Lodging is available in Robbinsville – interested boaters can contact the Graham County
Travel and Tourism Board at 818-479-3790. Additional information about the Cheoah
River can also be found on the American Whitewater website:
“www.americanwhitewater.org” or by contacting the Cheoah Ranger District at 828-479-
6431.