Big Creek, North Carolina, US
|
|
2. NPS Campground to Confluence with Big Pigeon (Lower Big Creek)
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV (for normal flows) |
| Length |
2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
158 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
165 fpm |
(MN) Boof at Lower Big Creek
(MN) Boof at Lower Big CreekPhoto of Mike Nail by Ted Cookson taken 04/03/05 @ 2.5 ft
Gauge Information
River Description
This was my first introduction to creek boating "Smoky Mountain" style. The runs here are similar
to being out West on the steep continuous runs there. The lower section of Big Creek offers a great
step up in steep creeking for the paddler looking to expand their horizons.
This trip could be combined with some of the water above the campground for the adventurous boater.
Be aware, the 1.5 mile section above the campground is more demanding than the lower section of Big
Creek.
Paddled Big Creek on 5/9/03 at a level of 2.6ft on the old yellow bridge gauge, while the
Oconoluftee was running about 2200cfs. It was definitely different from when I paddled it at 2.8 on
the other gauge at the park. Things weren't as "BIG". Good run though, I was glad to get back out
on some of that Smoky Mtn whitewater!
For more info check out Chris Bell's
Asheville Area Boating Beta Page. See also
Upper Big Creek for serious Class-V
fun.
StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2008-11-30 22:29:09
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
oconoluftee was running 700-725 that day. Caught a big thunderhead on the way in from Asheville,
did a quick run on the Pigeon, and 2 hours later the Big was running BIG! They say it got up to 3
ft that day. A friend I talked into it lost her boat and paddle. Anyway, 2 days later (Sat, the
19th) I decided to scrape down to try and find the lost boat. The gauge said that the OC ran 400
cfs that day. I was surprised to find all the rapids between the campground footbridge and the Mt
Sterling Rd bridge to be quite clean and still fun, but the closer I got to the powerhouse, the
scrapier things got. Point is, I believe that this summer may have alot of late afternoon creek
runs after thunderstorms that are so brief (and local) that they may not even show up on the
gauges. If clouds are on thier way, head to big creek and hope for the best!<br>
STRAINER ALERT - Not far below the Mt Sterling Rd bridge is a rapid where the river equally splits.
The left chute fans out over most of the riverbed, getting shallow and rocky, while the right chute
funnels to the right, getting deeper and ending in a small drop above a 5 ft slot between 2 large
boulders. THERE IS A TREE STUCK BETWEEN THESE 2 BOULDERS!! It may not be a problem at higher water
flows, but it was there the other day. And by the time you see it, you may not be able to catch an
eddy outta there. Downstream, at the islands, the left chute strainer has cleared enough to run, as
long as you stay left.
be able to see the local store on river left. just past it, the creek is split by an island and
rejoins a little further downstream into a stretch of flatwater. the creek is split by another
island after the flatwater and both sides have a large creekwide strainer across them. the strainer
on river right seems to be there for a long stay; one on river left is slowly giving away to the
water.<br>
<br>
took a look at it today at 738cfs - at this level you could duck and get under them but at levels
you could actually run this comfortably, they're going to be a problem.