The first ever recreational release on the Cheoah River was literally a dream come true for American Whitewater, our partners, and for the entire southeastern paddling community.  Roughly five hundred paddlers gushed down the river on Saturday September 17th, with only a few minor injuries.  The river proved to be spectacular, challenging, and fun beyond description.  Dozens of unnamed rapids thrilled paddlers with fast paced action, blind horizon lines, and big flushy holes. 

Paddlers were not the only ones who came out to celebrate the rebirth of the Cheoah though. The road was lined with local residents who came out to see the return of their river and the spectacle of paddlers punching big holes and running the vertical drop of the Big'un (Bear Creek Rapid).  The local rescue squad was on-site, and they were generally impressed with the skill and self sufficiency of the paddling community.  The USFS had personnel on-site to watch their newest management challenge take form, and to celebrate the result of many years of preparation and negotiations.  Outfitters rafted the river to see what the commercial viability of the river might be.  It was quite a scene. 

The river was running at 1,500 cfs according to the gage (an extra 500 cfs), yet only 1000 cfs according to calculations at the dam.  The target is 1000 cfs again this weekend, and only experience will reveal the true flow.  If you come to the river, be aware that flows could be somewhat variable, and be ready for continuous class IV big water that looks deceptively mellow from the road.     

The shuttle on the first release was not exactly a model of efficiency - but was a model of collaborative river management.  As people backed up awaiting their shuttle, AW staff stepped up to organize people, Graham County called in their public transit vehicles, NOC brought in additional drivers and vehicles, and the USFS organized shuttles with private boaters' vehicles.  We would like to thank all the paddlers that were SO patient and courteous, and everyone that was there on Saturday for pulling together to make it all work out.

The USFS has issued a press release regarding the next release, this Saturday, and we have included it below.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 23, 2005 Frank Findley

828-479-6431

Second Boating Flow on the Cheoah River October 1

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C.— The first boating flow on the Cheoah River on September 17

was extremely successful and drew over 500 participants from across the Nation. Boaters

from as far away as Oregon and Idaho made the trip to experience the Class IV/IV+

rapids on the Cheoah River. Two additional flows are scheduled for October 1 and

November 2. Nineteen similar one-day releases are scheduled on an annual basis

beginning in 2006. The Cheoah River is located on the Nantahala National Forest near

Robbinsville. The U.S. Forest Service will be managing the recreational activities.

The river has many Class IV/IV+ rapids and residual vegetation that requires a high skill

level to negotiate—only advanced or expert boaters with proper equipment should

attempt running the river this fall. While not offered in 2005, in future years, expert

guides will be available to lead raft trips.

Because there is very limited parking at the put-in and adjacent to the river, boaters

should use the shuttle service on October 1. Additional shuttles will be provided by

Nantahala Outdoor Center at no cost to ensure all boaters are able to access the river in a

timely manner. The shuttle service is only temporary as the Forest Service is planning to

begin construction next year of a put-in that will include parking for over 200 vehicles.

The shuttle will be located at the Robbinsville High School and begin transporting

boaters from 8 AM to 2 PM with the last shuttle leaving from the take-out at 6 PM.

Shuttles have the ability to transport up to 120 passengers every hour along with their

boats and equipment. Launch windows will be assigned on a first-come, first-served

basis as part of a river capacity study being conducted by the Forest Service to determine

the number and type of boaters that can safely use the river for future years.

The cost for boaters will be $6 – this includes the mandatory fee of $3 to the Forest

Service, as the Cheoah River is a National Forest fee area. Wrist bands will be sold at the

high school by the Forest Service with funds to be used for future construction projects.

A $3 parking fee will be collected by the Graham County Rescue Squad to support

training for river rescue.

The high water section of the Cheoah River is nine miles long. To ensure public safety,

the following regulations will be enforced on the Cheoah River during recreational

boating days:

• No alcoholic beverages within 500 feet of the river.

• No camping within 500 feet of the river.

• No nighttime floating, rafting, or tubing (between sunset and sunrise).

• No parking within 500 feet of the river, except in designated parking areas.

• No watercraft used other than non-motorized, hard-bottom canoes and kayaks, or

inflatable watercraft with a minimum of four (4) internal air chambers.

• Users must wear a helmet and a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD)

rated “Coast Guard Approved (Type III, III/V, or V)”.

Lodging is available in Robbinsville – interested boaters can contact the Graham County

Travel and Tourism Board at 818-479-3790. Camping is available at nearby Cheoah

Point and Horse Cove campgrounds operated by the Forest Service. Additional

information about the Cheoah River can be found on the American Whitewater website at

“www.americanwhitewater.org”, the Nantahala Outdoor Center website at

“www.noc.com/river_cheoah.html”, or by contacting the Cheoah Ranger District at 828-

479-6431.