Cheoah River

Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch

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July 5, 2023

Cheoah ELF - Runable essentially any and every day

ReporterMark Thompson
Gauge Reading125 cfs at CHEOAH RIVER NR BEARPEN GAP NR TAPOCO, NC
FlowLow Flow

Check out River Kings Video of this run at ELF (extreme low flow)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhZfETIKc\_M

I've been doing this run since I invented it in 2007. People first thought I was crazy, but over the years I've probably taken close to 500 people down this run at this level. You can go as low as 100 cfs.  (and I've done it down to 75, but don't recommend)

I tried to contact that 'powers that be' so to speak the Cheoah Streamkeeper and advocate that this river SEVERELY needs to be broken into sections, but was met with nothing but dismisive rebuttle.

There are some rivers that get very bangy and boat abuse when they're low, THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM. The bottom section chanels out brilliantly. At this level, it is the single best river I know for introducing people to creeking.

The put in is the second cement ramp, and you paddle down to the normal lake take out.

lat/lon put in:  35.4331769, -83.912124

Google map:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13025+Tapoco+Rd,+Robbinsville,+NC+28771/@35.4331769,-83.912124,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x885ebfeabf958a21:0xf43f95dcc100c58a!8m2!3d35.4331769!4d-83.912124!16s%2Fg%2F11v19sq9j3?entry=ttu

Cheoah ELF - Runable essentially any and every day – Cheoah River – Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch | American Whitewater