Tyger, North

In 1999 I think I came in third.

A lot more water in 2000 for the race!!!

The Tyger is a step up from the Lower Green in that the rapids are larger and require more manuvering, although there are fewer rapids. The gradiant of the Tyger is only about 10 feet per mile compared with around 20' per mile on the lower Green. The Tyger is a Piedmont River and is similar to sections of the Middle and South Saluda in Greenville County as to the rapids and gradient. There is alot of flat water between the rapids so you get a good workout as well. The Tyger normally runs from around Thanksgiving until late May or early June. In good wet summers you can have some fun high water runs in hot weather. The online gauge on the AW site is for the Tyger in Union County some 25+ miles below the whitewater section of the river. IF there has not been a rain in a 3-4 days you can use it to gauge the level in the whitewater section or at least to have a decent idea of the level. The following figures are an estimate or correlation between the painted gauge on the put-in bridge and the online gauge:

600 cfs = -6'

700 cfs = -5

800 cfs = -4

900 cfs = -3

1000 cfs= -2

1100 cfs= -1

1200 cfs= 0

1300 cfs= +1'

and so on.

There is another North Tyger run listed on the AW page. Do not try to run it and plan to get out at the South Tyger confluence unless you are into epic marathon hikes with your boat.

I estimate this stretch is about 7.5 river miles. Nearly 6 miles of it is moving flatwater, the whitewater is kind of grouped into long shoals. Great section for beginners at low to medium levels. There is usually a recreational race/float on this run around April. It is coordinated by the Spartanburg, SC dept of Parks & Recreation.

One half mile above the takeout is the best surf spot.