West Fork Tuck Beta and Alert (NC)
04/07/2014 - by Kevin Colburn
2014 marks the second year of restored paddling opportunities on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee. The first of 7 releases this year will be on April 19 and 20, and we would like to share some important facts and lessons we’ve learned about the river to help paddlers know what to expect. First and foremost, be aware that this run requires Class IV/V skills and a commitment consistent with wilderness rivers given the remote nature of the gorge and private property.
West Fork Tuck Pre-Release Work Weekend Planned
03/05/2014 - by Kevin Colburn
In July of last year a natural high flow event occurred on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee, which had significant effects on wood in the river. These effects were overwhelmingly positive for paddlers, as high flow events tend to move pieces of wood to channel margins and into large accumulations. With this said, the new patterns may pose isolated navigational hurdles or hazards, and have negatively affected some landowners. On March 29 and 30 paddlers will gather to conduct some limited management of problem pieces of wood in the West Fork.
West Fork Tuck Releases Announced (NC)
02/12/2013 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater is pleased to announce the 2013 schedule of releases for the typically de-watered West Fork of the Tuckasegee River, located near Glenville, North Carolina. These releases are the direct result of negotiations between American Whitewater, our affiliate clubs, Duke Energy and other regional stakeholders.
Tuckasegee Dams Get New Federal Licenses!
05/06/2011 - by Kevin Colburn
New river releases and public access areas are now set happen on the Tuckasegee River and its forks following a decade of studies, negotiations, lawsuits, and agency deliberation. Earlier this week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued new federal hydropower licenses for dams on the East and West Forks of the Tuckasegee River in western North Carolina.
Judge Grants Permission for Dillsboro Dam Removal (NC)
01/12/2010 - by Kevin Colburn
Yesterday, Superior Court Judge Zoro J. Guice Jr. rejected all remaining legal challenges against Duke Energy's efforts to remove Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River. It is extremely likely that the ruling is the final decision on the fate of Dillsboro Dam, and that removal will begin within a month. This ruling marks a major milestone in the restoration of the Tuckasegee River.
County To Attempt Dillsboro Dam Takeover (NC)
06/10/2009 - by Kevin Colburn
Earlier this week Jackson County, NC county Commissioners decided to attempt a takeover of Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckaseegee River using their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation. It remains unclear if they can legally accomplish this feat, however it is almost certain that this development will delay the restoration activities planned all along the Tuckaseegee River.
Tuckasegee River Update and Video (NC)
10/15/2008 - by Kevin Colburn
Recreational releases on the Upper Nantahala and West Fork of the Tuckasegee are currently being
held up by a local County's opposition to removing Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River.
As resolution nears, opposition to releases on the West Fork of the Tuck is
heating up. Regardless, it appears that 2010 may be the year that sweeping river
restoration initiatives occur on the Tuckasegee River. We have posted a West Fork video to
remind paddlers why this project is so important.
Dillsboro Dam Removal Approved
07/23/2007 - by Kevin Colburn
On Thursday, July 19th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a decision that will allow the removal of Dillsboro Dam. The removal of Dillsboro Dam is the result of over 3 years of collaborative studies and negotiations that addressed all of Duke Power's dams on the Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers. With this nod of approval from FERC, dam removal could begin as early as this January, and should be completed within three years.