Gauge Description:

There is a new gage for the Nantahala that was negotiated by American Whitewater and is provided by Duke Power. The gage is below the powerhouse so it will be influenced by generation, but the cascades provide almost all the water above generation. If you look at the hydrograph, it is fairly easy to figure out how much water is in the cascades. Power generation is typically around 700 cfs, and has a very blocky pattern on the hydrograph. Any additional flow is almost definately coming from the cascades reach. This is a new gage and we'll figure out a system for predicting flows soon. For now, note that the cascades is runnable quite low, but most folks prefer it between 200 and 500 cfs. So if Duke is generating, flows on the gage between 900 and 1200 are likely to be good flows on the cascades.

Runnable as low as you are willing, the Cascades quickly change demeanor at higher flows. At 400 cfs and above, they really start pumping, sometimes resulting in humiliating thrashings and epic swims.