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 57 minutes | 665 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 27, 2024 |
Projects
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
River Description
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.
River Features
Nantahala River Public Launch Site
Large Duke Energy put-in.
Patton's Run
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.
Ferebee Park Access
Alternate put-in/take-out.
Delebars Rock
Safest route is to the right of the big rock all the current is slamming into.
Quarry Rapid
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.
Whirlpool
A fun little surf wave with some really squirly strange water behind it.
Picnic Rock
Surf Rapid
Nice little 12 inch tall wave where lots of southern boaters learned to surf.
The Bump
Another splashy wave train, with a mid sized hole at the bottom.
Nantahala Falls aka Lesser Wesser
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.
2013 World Championship Hole
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.
Worser Wesser
Big slide type rapid created when the railroad relocated the riverbed. Lots of sharp rock, and a fairly substantial hole at the bottom.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaddled 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.
As of the high water from a rainy winter, Surfers is pretty much washed out as of May 9th 2016. Aside from that its business as usual on the lower.
The American Whitewater staff got out on a trip to enjoy the Nantahala River as part of a fall staff retreat.
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.
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.
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.
Doug Worful, paralyzed from the arms down, in our adaptive oar rig on a Schredder 'Big Rocker'. A drag racing bucket seat was used with a NASCAR five point harness, and yes, we practiced flips. No problems coming out.
Doug Worful paddling the adaptive oar rig on a Schredder. Doug, paralyzed from the arms down, on his own. Doug passed away this last winter, gone but not forgotten. Note the drag racing bucket seat and NASCAR five point harness.
Benny checking out the fish in the Nantahala...