The ultimate guide to paddling whitewater in the western Carolinas, Carolina Whitewater has guided boaters to the best water in the Tar Heel and Palmetto states for almost 30 years. This latest edition includes expanded and updated information for the classic rivers, like the Chattooga, French Broad, and Nantahala, in addition to many new steep creeks including Cove, Rockhouse, and Hurricane. New to this edition is a section on flatwater that is suitable for canoe camping and can be handled by beginner and novice paddlers. Profiled runs are from the Broad River and two of its tributaries, the Enoree and the Tyger. The convenient at-a-glance format for each river section makes it easy to find critical details such as difficulty, length, paddling time, gradient, and more. River descriptions, shuttle and gauge information, and topographic-based maps complete the useful information needed to help boaters pick rivers to match their ability. With over 80 detailed profiles and more than 60 maps of the best canoeing and kayaking waterways in the Carolinas, this guide is indispensable. From quiet float trips on the French Broad to exciting runs on the fast-flowing Nolichucky, Carolina Whitewater details the best paddling experiences in both states.

Still an active "creekist" and climber, David Benner lives in Morganton, NC, where he coordinates the Physical and Outdoor Education program for Western Piedmont Community College. Bob Benner, a long time paddler, is retired and resides in Morganton, N.C.

Acknowledgments

x

Map Legend

x

Introduction

1

(1)

Carolina Overview

2

(2)

Clubs and Organizations

4

(3)

North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers

7

(1)

State Water Trails

8

(1)

Paddler Information

8

(5)

Winter Canoeing

13

(1)

Legal Rights of the Canoeist

14

(1)

Safety

15

(2)

Explanation of Terms

17

(8)

part One HIAWASSEE AND LITTLE TENNESSEE WATERSHED

Tusquitee Creek

25

(2)

Hiawassee River

27

(2)

Cullasaja River

29

(1)

Little Tennessee River

30

(2)

Alarka Creek

32

(1)

Whiteoak Creek

33

(2)

Nantahala River

35

(3)

Snowbird Creek

38

(2)

Cheoah River

40

(1)

Santeetlah Creek

41

(1)

Slickrock Creek

42

(2)

Caney Fork Creek

44

(1)

Tuckasegee River

45

(4)

Deep Creek

49

(2)

Oconaluftee River

51

(2)

Straight Fork

53

(1)

Raven Fork River

54

(2)

Soco Creek

56

(1)

East Fork Pigeon River

57

(1)

Middle Prong of the Pigeon

58

(2)

West Fork Pigeon River

60

(2)

Pigeon River

62

(3)

Dries of the Pigeon River

65

(2)

Pigeon River below the Dries

67

(1)

Jonathans Creek

68

(2)

Hurricane Creek

70

(1)

Cold Springs Branch

71

(1)

Big Creek

72

(2)

Cataloochee Creek

74

(1)

part Two BROAD AND FRENCH BROAD RIVER SYSTEM AND WATERSHED

West Fork French Broad

75

(2)

North Fork French Broad

77

(2)

French Broad River

79

(8)

Davidson River

87

(2)

Swannanoa River

89

(2)

Big Laurel Creek

91

(2)

Spring Creek

93

(1)

Cove Creek

94

(2)

Big Hungry River

96

(2)

North Pacolet River

98

(2)

Green River

100

(7)

Broad River

107

(3)

First Broad River

110

(2)

part Three WATAUGA, NEW RIVER, AND CATAWBA WATERSHED

North Toe River and Toe River

112

(5)

Big Crabtree Creek

117

(1)

South Toe River

118

(2)

Cane River

120

(3)

Nolichucky River

123

(3)

Boone Fork

126

(2)

Watauga River

128

(6)

Elk River

134

(4)

Buck Creek

138

(2)

North Fork Catawba River

140

(1)

Curtis Creek

141

(2)

Mill Creek

143

(2)

Catawba River

145

(3)

Muddy Creek

148

(1)

Linville River

149

(4)

Steel Creek

153

(1)

Upper Creek

154

(4)

North Harper Creek

158

(2)

Gragg Prong

160

(2)

Rockhouse Creek

162

(1)

Lost Cove Creek

163

(1)

Wilson Creek

164

(4)

Johns River

168

(2)

Jacob Fork River

170

(2)

Henry Fork River

172

(3)

South Fork New River

175

(7)

North Fork New River

182

(2)

New River

184

(2)

Little River

186

(2)

part Four YADKIN RIVER BASIN

North Fork Mayo River

188

(2)

South Fork Mayo River

190

(1)

Dan River

191

(7)

Buffalo Creek

198

(2)

Yadkin River

200

(4)

Elk Creek

204

(1)

Stony Fork Creek

205

(1)

Lewis Fork North Prong

206

(2)

Lewis Fork South Prong

208

(1)

Reddies River

209

(2)

Mitchell River

211

(2)

Fisher River

213

(2)

Uwharrie River

215

(3)

part Five NEARBY RIVERS

Chattooga River

218

(8)

Chauga River

226

(2)

Doe River

228

(4)

Haw River

232

(5)

North Tyger and Tyger Rivers

237

(2)

South Tyger River

239

(2)

part Six FLATWATER SUITABLE FOR CANOE CAMPING

Introduction

241

(1)

Broad River

242

(9)

Enoree River

251

(4)

Tyger River

255

(3)

part Seven INDEX

Index

258

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Nantahala heads up in the edge of Nantahala National Forest before entering Nantahala Lake, reportedly the highest lake in North Carolina. From there some water is piped down the mountain to the power plant 0.25 mi. above the Section C put-in. Sections A and B only run after heavy, extended rainfall, which results in dam spill-over from Nantahala Lake and heavy feeder stream influence up high. The piped water meets the natural flow just above Section C, one of the most popular whitewater runs in the country. The water temperature on this stretch is generally 45 degrees due to the diverted water being pulled from the bottom of the lake. While Section A is recommended only for experts, Section B is challenging for high intermediate/advanced boaters. Section C is suitable for intermediate level paddlers and ends just above Class V Wesser Falls. Below is Lake Fontana. Nantahala, meaning "land of the noon-day sun," was the name given by the Cherokee Indians because the deep gorge shuts out the sun for most of each day.

Excerpted from Carolina Whitewater: A Paddler's Guide to the Western Carolinas by Bob Benner, David Benner
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.