Tuckasegee

Taken April 16, 2016

The far right line at Dillsboro Drop, the first rapid on the 'Tuck gorge' section.

July 4th: Tuckasegee Section 3. ~700 cfs. Great run for G to canoe. Its a length we like. about 10 class 2+ to 3- rapids. G rode in the raft for the dam rapid and canoed a majority of the rest of them. Models swam out of canoes, J swam out of duckie near the end. Rope swing on river right about 3/4 of the way through the trip. Decent scenery, lots of houses in the first half.

2014 release schedule can be found at http://www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/Tuckasegee\_Recreation\_Flow\_Calendar\_2014.pdf

For 2013 the release schedule is at
http://www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/Tuckasegee\_Recreation\_Flow\_Calendar\_2013.pdf

Looking down at the entrance to Sharkstooth Rapid

First Hole rapid, just after Railroad.

Circa 1910

The site of the former Dillsboro Dam.

Be careful of the right side line on the new Dillsboro Drop rapid. There are some rocks that will eat you if you flip and don't roll up fast. Got some scrapes on my body and helmet for my troubles on 6/25 at 800 cfs. Most people seem to be running the center line instead of the right line.

Double Drop @ about 1100 cfs.

Dillsboro Drop @ 1600 cfs.

Tuckaseegee River

Tuckaseegee River

Allan Ange entering Double Drop on a nice winter day.

Double Drop at about 2500 cfs.

Entrance to Railroad Bridge rapid at about 2500 cfs.

The Dillsboro Drop 8/24/2011

The Dillsboro Drop rapids at 800 cfs.

I just took over the page to update it. Please sent me any comments or information.

The page has been updated for the location of the new put in, gauge information, the new rapids and new photos added.

AW is working through a dam relicensing process to have this dam removed.

A paddler having a less than optimal run at the new rapids.

Yes, there needs to be information added about the new rapids at Dillsboro. I'd have to called it good Class III. I've run it two ways, down the right side and slightly left of center. The right line is good, but requires watching for rocks. The center line is pretty easy and smooth at normal release level. There are also some good play spots. One of the best rapids on the river.

No addition of dam area yet? There is one notable rapid here. I think a solid class three. There are a few runs. Run on river right is a bit bony with what appears to be a slight boof. Run looks about 8 feet from bank. There looks to be a center run also. There is a run left of center on a tongue. Eddy out at top left to scout from the boat then hit the tongue center. There is an eddy on right about halfway down or you can shoot to bottom of rapid. There is one large rock at bottom of rapid to run around at lower level. If you run the tongue too far to right there is a grabby hole that may pull you right. Hole to left of tongue looks like it would push you back to center.

Below that is a small easy rapid (less than class 2) before the bridge.

The new rapids at Dillsboro

A shot of the new rapids in Dillsboro at the site of the old dam

Removal of Dillsboro Dam winter 2010.

After removal of the old dam two new ledges are visible on the Tuckasegee River.

Changed gauge to Barker's Creek gauge which is at the takeout for this run and is a better gauge than the previous Bryson City gauge, which is many miles downstream.

My buddy and I are students from WCU and we went out this morning (05/07/09) around 11:00 a.m. The level was at 5,810 CFS. I have been down the tuck countless number of times instructing, or just for leisure. Today was the funnest I have had out there. We put in Dillsboro and paddled Scotts Creek into the Tuck. Right across the hotel there was a new tree down, and those little rapids there weren't too bad. Once we got down to Railroad then things 'beefed' up a bit. It added some new features on River Left, and the Railroad hole was pumping at this level. It look a bit choppy, and I had a creek boat so I didn't get in. As for the other rapids. nice 2-3 foot waves. There are numerous decent playholes and waves along the way. Double Drop had a face lift to it. It had about 3-4 ft waves in the middle which were fun. To sum it all up, The Tuck at 5,800 is like running the entance rapids to the Nantahala Falls. It was a lot of fun consider the fact I drove about 13 minutes to get there.

I paddle this section regularly and I have a couple of comments concerning the gauge and the release schedule described in an earlier comment.

First of all, the number used by AW in their river levels page for this section is not the most accurate depiction of water in the gorge. They use the numbers from the Bryson City gauge which is almost always higher than the actual CFS in the gorge. HOWEVER, it appears that their MINIMUM level is based on the levels near Bryson City, so I guess it’s all relative.

For accurate flow levels in the gorge, check the USGS gauge for Tuckasegee R at Barkers Creek (This is the take out). Below is the link directly to the Gauge page.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site\_no=03510577&PARAmeter\_cd=00065,00060

I would say a nice minimum on the Barkers Creek gauge would be around 500 with a BARE minimum of 400-450.

As the water rises, this turns into a solid Class II run with decent sized holes and wave trains that are a small step down from most of what you find on the Nantahala. At around 2000 on the Bryson City gauge, the Tuck becomes one of the best novice runs in the mountains. It can be used to prepare you well for the Nantahala if you are interested in running that frozen river without swimming on you FIRST attempt.

Double Drop is definitely overrated, especially at low and normal flows-at these levels, it is a II. At higher flows (very high),it is easily a III but very straightforward and fun.

All you do is stay in the middle and plow right through.

The flow schedule:

(1) During the Primary Angling Periods (defined as the first weekend after Labor

Day through the last weekend of October and April 1 through the first weekend of

June), the preferred flows are at or below about 500 cfs as measured at the

reactivated USGS Gage #03510500 at Dillsboro (

4 Aug 03: Ran it at about 2.5 feet. A fun run at this level and not at all intimidating. I would rate this at II to II+ at this level. The folks at the outfitters just below the bridge at the take-out were very accomodating in allowing me to leave the take-out vehicle there and using their ramp for the take-out.

Bryson's first river trip, and first surf!

Doug G. pushing rubber!!!