Ran lower Abrams today at 2.9 on the Little gauge. Some places were scrapy but still plenty of
water. There were at least 4 logs spanning the entire river. The first had a tiny slot to sneak
past, the 2nd and 3rd were in slower water and boofable the 4th was a foot or so under at this
level. Was able to make it without portaging. still plenty of other wood to watch out for though.
keep an eye out as I'm sure it will all be shifting for some time. Also, i agree a couple spots are
above the class two range. not terribly hard but harder than expected for a class two run. very
beautiful even after the tornado.

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.

Having run this twice in the last year with two different groups, I think it should be rated as
having two Class III rapids in it. Because of its Class II rating this run attracts mostly novice
boaters, at all but it's lowest level the second big rapid (about 1 mile before the flatwater
starts) really would rank as a solid Class III in that it requires an S turn, a small ledge drop,
and avoidance of a downstream rock just afterwards. Also I have been told by all boaters that have
run this with me that these two rapids were "way harder than the Nantahla Falls (Lesser Wesser)"
and this is a benchmark for a lot of the novice paddlers in the Southeast. Also, there is no easy
portage around the largest rapid; which is too bad because it is a lot of fun and it would be nice
to be able to run it multiple times.

Run on Jan 8th 2009 at 4ft on little guage. cades cove recieved 3" in previous 48hrs; footbridge
had been washed out previous day. first 4 miles was mostly class II wavetrains with almost no rocks
above water surface due to high level. last 2.5mi of whitewater includes a couple rapids that
approach class III at this level and can be boat scouted. no strainers/logs, clear top to bottom
this day. Lots of fun.

Ran this 2-7-2008, little at townsend was just above 3.5, little at maryville was 2400cfs.
Strangely the cades cove raingauge only showed .36" of rain on yesterday. I live 20min from the
river and it poured half the day yesterday. Wife and I ran it and loved it, first time down for
both. Water was definitely UP, I have nothing to compare it to other than the other pictures posted
here. The entire run is full of great class II water, at this level you should be comfortable in
II+. We had to get out and scout a few times, but could run everything with no trouble. At .3mi
from put in there was a river wide strainer, but easily spotted and avoided. The run is completely
clear rest of way. Some wonderful lengthy long class two sections. Lots of great class II play
spots at this level as well. This run was much more exciting than I expected and was tons of fun.
The down side is the 40min flatwater paddle at the end, into a headwind to get to the take out.
very remote, absolutely beautful. no easy escape routes if something goes wrong, once your in there
your in there, so be prepared:( FYI, in my open boat, I had to duck to get under the foot bridge
after the put in. That may be my own guage for future runs. There is a trail that leads to the foot
bridge directly across from the ranger station. I will try to add some pictures from the run.

Ran this today 2-7-2008, little at townsend was just above 3.5, little at maryville was 2400cfs.
Strangely the cades cove raingauge only showed .36" of rain on yesterday. I live 20min from the
river and it poured half the day yesterday. Wife and I ran it and loved it, first time down for
both. Water was definitely UP, I have nothing to compare it to other than the other pictures posted
here. The entire run is full of great class II water, at this level you should be comfortable in
II+. We had to get out and scout a few times, but could run everything with no trouble. At .3mi
from put in there was a river wide strainer, but easily spotted and avoided. The run is completely
clear rest of way. Some wonderful lengthy long class two sections. Lots of great class II play
spots at this level as well. This run was much more exciting than I expected and was tons of fun.
The down side is the 40min flatwater paddle at the end, into a headwind to get to the take out.
very remote, absolutely beautful. no easy escape routes if something goes wrong, once your in there
your in there, so be prepared:( FYI, in my open boat, I had to duck to get under the foot bridge
after the put in. That may be my own guage for future runs. There is a trail that leads to the foot
bridge directly across from the ranger station. I will try to add some pictures from the run. Edit

Have run it twice now, once when the little was 2.9 and again at 3.1. Both times it was low but
fine. Its all about where the rain falls. You could catch it at 2.5 and miss it at 3.5, just check
Cades Cove rain gauge. You need an inch in the past 18 hours or so.<br /><br>
<br /><br>
Kirk