Nantahala
3. Power Plant to Wesser (Lower Nantahala)
| Difficulty | II+(III) |
| Length | 8.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 36 fpm |
| Gauge | Nantahala River Near Hewitt, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 215 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 27, 2024 |
The Nantahala is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the nation and the world. Forgiving class II+ rapids, fine water quality and scenery, reliable dam releases almost every day, the security of a nearby road, and a large number of rafting and kayaking outfitters all contribute to [...]Read More
The Nantahala is the classic southeastern river for entry level whitewater. Its safe to say that the Nantahala is one of the most rafted streams in the country. Its probably safe to say that more beginners have swum while learning on this river than most others.
The majority of the run is cold, splashy class two water. Nantahala falls is the class three exception to the rule. Pattons Run, the first rapid just around the corner from the put-in, sometimes gives beginners a hard time.
The Nantahala's most notable feature is its dam-controlled, cold water. Figure about 45 degrees. The 3-day release forecast is the best source of information on planned releases (select 'Nantahala Area' from the dropdown menu), and you can also check out the annual release calendar on that same webpage.
The river is completely roadside along US 19 and US 74 about an hour west of Asheville, between Bryson City and Andrews, North Carolina. The Forest Service maintains the put-in. The take-out is behind the Nantahala Outdoor Center on river left. NOC maintains a large parking area.
For the Best Info on the Nantahala check out Chris Bell's Asheville Area Boating Beta page.
Also check out the Forest Service site.
Large Duke Energy put-in.
This one gives novices, beginners and rafters the most trouble. Hug the inside of the curve and stay off of the rock on the outside of the bend. After that splash thru the waves at the bottom.
Safest route is to the right of the big rock all the current is slamming into.
The river will come to a right hand bend then curve back to the left. As you go around the bend the gradient will start to pick up. There will be a couple of waves then a good play hole with eddys on both sides of the river. Loops, Blunts, Cartwheels, have fun.
A fun little surf wave with some really squirly strange water behind it.
Nice little 12 inch tall wave where lots of southern boaters learned to surf.
Another splashy wave train, with a mid sized hole at the bottom.
A long rapid with two bends in it leading up to the falls. There are some easy to avoid holes in the approach, then eddys on both sides of the river. From there the standard route is left to right following the tongue thru the holes.
A wide hole with 5-6 foot of recirculation that is immediately above the play feature, a less retentative hole. The top hole can hold boats and potentially swimmers, thus the name 'Business'. The bottom hole is the 'Party Hole', what was the play wave. Rescue/rope access is best from the right bank. A sneak is available by following the bank on river left.
The constantly evolving wave behind NOC. The locals are constantly shifting the rocks around to tweek the wave. In 2013 a permanent feature was created to host the 2013 ICF World Freestyle Championships.
Big slide type rapid created when the railroad relocated the riverbed. Lots of sharp rock, and a fairly substantial hole at the bottom.
Jun 9, 2026
We had a 3 boat pile up in this hole this past Saturday The swimmers and 2 boats quickly exited the hole whilst a 3rd boat, a 12 ft canoe (Mohawk Probe 12), remained in the hole for at least 20 minutes. A throwbag with a biner attached to the bag was thrown to a kayaker who was eddied out behind the hole and boat. He skillfully attached the bag to the boat. The boat was then pulled out to the river right bank.
Apr 16, 2022
Paddled this today for the first time. It was a fun trip. NOC shuttled us up at 10am and we put in before the rafts and paddled ahead and had the river to ourselves. It was a good time on the water. Some surprisingly big wave trains. Nothing super difficult but definitely enough to keep it entertaining the whole time.
May 5, 2015
4/28/15 after running parts of the upper nanti we did farabee to the ledges. G in octane, eli in spanish fly, CT in ducky, John h and caroline in mini me. Trip went fast, maybe go down to surfers rapid next time. G ran through the meat of quarry hole and did great. G also had lots of good surfs at the 3 sisters wave just before the ledges takeout.
Sep 19, 2014
July 6th: Nantahala. Farabee park to the falls. (normal flow) 'Everyone's favorite run on the trip.' the NantaHELL-YEAH. The cold is manageable with gear and good planning. G did most of the rapids in the canoe. He had good lines and excellent surfing. We ate lunch at surfers rapid. Models swam a bunch; G and J were sabotaged by models at falls which caused chaos. S.W. had a medical emergency.
Jan 31, 2014
The late Doug Worful paddling an adaptive oar rig on the Nantahala. Doug was paralyzed from arms down, with partial use of right arm. Note that he is in a seat made for a rail dragster bolted onto the frame, with a NASCAR five point harness keeping him in the seat. We learned from experience that he would bounce several feet in the air on rough rapids, thus the harness, and yes everyone, we tested it, turning him over in the raft to see if he might survive. He did, until he died of pancreatic cancer. If someone wants to try this adaptive rig, call Dennis.
