Abrams Creek

Following is a an article I wrote for the Chota Canoe Club newsletter.
For years I have wanted to paddle lower Abrams Creek because of the good water quality, easy whitewater, easy access and pristine nature of the run. The only issue has been the limited window of availability. On September 7, 2011, I got my chance as the river was coming down from the 5 inch rain in Knoxville (3 inches in Cades Cove) the previous weekend. The Little River gauge above Townsend was 2.2 feet, so the level was 6 inches less than the AWA website recommended minimum of 2.7 feet. I would guess the flow was about 80 cfs. Based on my experience I would agree with the recommended minimum of 2.7 feet. My bike shuttle was 7 miles; the river distance was about 10 miles.

The storm system that hit the south on April 27 spawned an EF-4 tornado that destroyed trees along a 20 mile section of the Abrams Creek watershed. Apparently the tornado touched down along Chilhowee Lake, knocked down one of the electric transmission towers and then proceeded upstream on the creek. By my observation, the tornado ran in the stream bed for over a mile at the mouth of the creek, crossing the creek several times as it moved upstream. The 160 mph winds destroyed literally thousands of trees in the watershed. I have hiked from the FS campground all the way to Cades Cove and looks like the tornado left Abrams Creek about 2.5 miles below Abrams Falls. FS personnel have done a wonderful job reopening this trail (Little Bottoms).

At 2.2 feet, the creek starts with easy Class 1-2 ledges that require maneuvering to hit the clean chutes. Farther downstream, the bedrock becomes progressively more fractured and the drops a little steeper and more complex – maybe Class 2+. About halfway down, the effect of the tornado becomes apparent with huge piles of broken limbs and treetops piled along the banks. Despite the carnage on the hillsides, there were only 5 trees in the river that required a portage. It is a beautiful section of river but the overall effect was sort of depressing because of all the destruction. It seems likely that high water this winter will cause some epic logjams that will further degrade the experience.