Catawba
Great Falls Long Channel
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Catawba River at Great Falls, Sc |
| Flow Rate as of 13 minutes | 351.48 ftlow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 28, 2023 |
On August 11th, 2006, American Whitewater joined a group of 70 organizations, agencies, and individuals in signing a Settlement Agreement that will shape the management of the Catawba River for the next 30-50 years. The agreement marks the culmination of 3 years of studies and negotiations among a diverse [...]Read More
The Long Channel of Great Falls of the Catawba has been largely dewatered for a century. Negotiations between Duke Energy, American Whitewater, and many other parties starting in 2002 led to a settlement agreement and new dam license that calls for significant flow restoration. Base flows and recreation flows began in March of 2023.
The Long Channel is 2 miles long, but so wide you'd have to run it several times to see it all. Expect to be paddling through a forest in some areas if you get off-route, because trees have grown in the long dewatered riverbed. Generally, after the first couple rapids head toward the island that forms river right, and you'll find a mellow flatwater channel that leads you around a tree-filled section and back into the open rapids. Note that standing and down trees are a serious entrapment hazard, so only experienced groups of paddlers should run this section. Expect long series of class II+ and III- rapids with lots of eddies and surf waves and holes. The whitewater is akin to Section 9 of the French Broad though in a much bigger more spread out river. When you hit the reservoir paddle across to Stumpy Pond River Access Area to take out.
Paddlers should launch at the very nice new Nitrolee Access Area just upstream of Highway 200, and enter the Long Channel through one of two man-made channels over the dam, which are entered near the island on the river right side of the Long (lefthand) Channel. Expect very different conditions in the man-made channel depending on flow, as follows:
- Base Flows: On days without recreational releases the large lefthand channel will have continuous flows of 450 or 850 depending on season, while the paperclip (righthand channel) will be dry. Expect nice small surf at 850 and easy passage at both base flows in the large channel. We'll gather more information over time on what the natural river is like at these flows. It is almost certainly navigable at both flows, and pro
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A new put in has been built on Fishing Creek, just upstream of the main bridge. Park here and launch, paddling down the flatwater fishing creek and trending left to the left edge of Mountain Island.
Duke Energy created this structure to allow water and paddlers to flow from the reservoir above into the river below. The idea was first pitched by AW's Kevin Colburn and Andrew Lazenby, and Duke hired Scott Shipley to design the project. The large channel will have water all the time, 850cfs February 15 through May 15 and 450cfs the rest of the year -- and much more during recreational releases -- and features several large waves. The smaller 'paperclip' channel on the right side will only have water during recreational releases, around 450cfs, and features 8 surfable drops ranging from waves to holes. Both channels are designed to release specific volumes of water into the river below. Paddlers will have access to stairs and a walkway to scout, run laps or portage the structures on far river-right, adjascent to the island in the pool at the start of the paperclip. Please scout first!
This class III rapid features several excellent lines, a few standing trees in the current, and good surfing. Be mindful of trees, and that the boulders are undercut, but there is a lot of whitewater real estate in this section. The flow is still focused here before spreading out downstream.
This is a wide open rapid with small surf waves and several routes. Trend right though and finish right agains the right bank to enter the mellow channel around the forest.
This is where you want to be. This canal-like channel is very pretty and entirely tree-free except for a spaced out fence of trees at the start. Use this channel to avoid the forest that spans the rest of the river here.
This is a super fun rapid after the calm of Peace Valley with many routes. Choose your own adventure and have fun!
A long series of fun moves spread out across the river. Find the fun, while it lasts!
Paddle across the reservoir to reach the take out.
Mar 31, 2023
Mar 15, 2023
This was the last day of a few pre-release days that aided SAR training, media and public information, paddler familiarization, and included a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the put in. It was a great day to get ready for the release schedule.
Oct 31, 2022
Chris Jackson has been regularly documenting the construction of the Great Falls flow structures for the past couple years via drone. These images represent the final design/build, to which water will be restored in the coming weeks for the next several decades. The large channel will have water all the time, 450 or 850 cfs depending on the month, and will feature several potential surf waves. The smaller 'paperclip' channel on the right side will only have water during recreational releases. Both channels are designed to release specific volumes of water into the river below and allow people to paddle from the reservoir into the river below.
Mar 17, 2005
Time for a long overdue update on this reach. In October of 2004 AW in partnership with Duke Power successfully completed the flow study on both river sections. The quality of the whitewater and playspots were impressive. We are currently in the middle of negotiations to determine the number of opportunities to boat his section in the future. I look forward to continue to work with AW to bring this section of the Catawba river back to life. Completion of this project is slated to 2007-2008.
Andrew Lazenby
Oct 23, 2004
American Whitewater worked with Duke Energy and many other groups to coordinate a controlled whitewater flow study in October of 2004. This study layed the foundation for flow restoration negotiations. Over one weekend we paddled several different flows on both channels, filling out surveys and having focus group discussions following each run and at the very end. It was a safe, fun, and informative weekend!
Mar 23, 2003
In this months AW, Jeff Tallman wrote an article describing a section of the Catawba river in between Rock Hill and Columbia S.C. This is a two mile section of old riverbed that has not had water in it since the early 1900's on a regular basis. AW is trying to secure regular flows in the channel for us to use.
With all ths rain we have had this last week, Great Falls is running as we speak.(according to duke dude this afeternoon. It wasn't this morning) According to a Duke power contact there is at least 2 ft of water going over the Coffer dam and into the old Dewatered Riverbed. I am getting ready to drive back down to look at it this afternoon and get some pictures of the Fishing creek Dam with 2 floodgates open. I have some photos I have taken inthe past when I have chanced upon it running and ran the section and they can be viewed
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/3934/
and
http://community.webshots.com/user/joemess
there are photos of it with no water and with water running in both channels. The titles to the albums will say Great falls or dewatered. There are 3 or 4 and they should be on the first page.
I will post an update in an hour or so after I get back to verify what the Duke person said. Ill add details then.
Andrew
