| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 5.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Emory River at Oakdale, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 231 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 30, 2026 |
Emory River Canyon is a fine run. While not at the top of anyone's list of must do rivers, The ERC is actually quite nice. When a big cold front moves through and dumps throughout the watershed, and beginner/intermediate paddlers find some of the main stem rivers like Clear Creek to be a little pushy, the ERC provides a really nice creeking experience in its final few miles down to the Obed. The ERC will also spike and respond to localized storms, occasionally giving up some sweet warm-weather fun as well. The price of admission is a few miles of slow flatwater at the start, and a very gradual ramp up to Class II action over the next few miles. These upper stretches are not gonna scratch your itch if you just want to shred from put-in to take-out, but the truth is that it's damn beautiful in there.
Water quality on the ERC is okay. The Emory drains a part of the Cumberland Mountains known for strip mining and logging, and has the water quality to prove it. If you're on the peak or it's high, it'll be brown. However, a few days after a big winter rain after extended periods of flow, when the river still has enough for a paddle, but the high impact, high energy moment of falling rain drops has had time to recede into distant memory, the water on this section of the Emory kind of glistens a subtle turquoise color that is beautiful.
As one paddles below Montgomery Road bridge, the flats slowly give way to more interesting water. Here the Emory is transitioning out of one weaker rock layer that creates the tranquil Upper Emory Valley, and into a stronger rock layer as indicated by the increasing stretches of bluff line. These thick sandstone units eventually give up a fine stretch of bedrock creeking underlain by the same bones that more coveted runs like Island Creek and Crab Orchard Creek are made of. In high water there's some killer play. Wall shots, diagonal waves and punchy holes make for some quality movement in a pretty canyon. Then as you ap
...Put in at Montgomery Bridge. Park on the upstream river-left or upstream river-right side of the bridge, within the right of way, without blocking any other access. Walk within the right of way down and put in next to the bridge.
Driving from Wartburg, when you wind down into the canyon you'll see the bridge down below you. Immediately turn right into Nemo Picnic Area and Cumberland Trail Trailhead. Park here. When taking out, use the rock bar on river-left just upstream of the old bridge. Taking out at Nemo Rapid downstream is on private property and should be avoided.
Apr 28, 2020
On 4-27-2020 We completed this run all the way down to Oakdale in our new Phat Cat from RMR. Flow was around 4700+- and falling during a whole day on the river with picture perfect weather. First few miles down from Montgomery Bridge were flat w just very little top water current. After maybe 30-40 min we began to see the pace pick up. 2-3 spots our Cat was barely wide enough to fly down some narrow chutes, where as kayakers its ideal. Narrow but fun w lots of swirling waters at the bottom of some of the class 2-3s. After joining the Emory we stopped at Nemo to stretch legs and look at the rapid. Ran the rapid right of center where the meat is ..no problems..wavy and bumpy fun. A few miles later we saw a river otter in the middle of the river right before a small class 2 shoals area. We kinda scared each other. It dived down then resurfaced in front of our boat just to watch us float away. Definitely recommend Camp Austin bridge takeout as the rest of the short trip to oakdale is class 1 w a little top water current.
Sep 27, 2013
Emory River, Hwy 62 to Catoosa Road class 2-3 (listed on AW as Emory -2. Emory River Canyon - Hwy 62 to Nemo)
- Minmum flow is 4000 cfs on Emory River at Oakdale, TN gauge
- Max flow is 20000 cfs
- Run is 7 river miles