Nantahala Cascades Flow Study Alert
American Whitewater and Duke Power are conducting a flow study on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala in the coming weeks as part of the relicensing of the hydro project on the Nantahala. This flow study could ultimately lead to scheduled releases on these great class 4/5 and 3 sections. Word has gotten out about the study and folks have been contacting us about paddling the river on the study days. Uninvited paddlers showing up to run the river during the study could seriously jeopardize the process of getting releases. Study crashers will take up critical parking at limited access areas, will cause a liability risk that could force us to cancel the study, will cause a safety hazard to study participants, and will pollute the data of this and other concurrent studies. We have tried to invite a representative group of paddlers from area clubs and organizations, many of which are playing an active role in the relicensing process. Remember that we try to be fair in who we select for the studies, and that these studies are done for you. American Whitewater wants everyone to have access to rivers and is working hard to get you water on the Nantahala. Please support AW’s efforts by not coming to paddle the Cascades or Upper Nantahala during the flow study unless you were invited. Thanks for your cooperation!