American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on releases and access on Class II and III rivers like the lower Nantahala, Tuckasegee, Hiwassee, and Catawba, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies, and discuss any issues with the release programs. We strive to create a schedule with minimal conflicts to maximize recreational value. Below are the 2023 dates for the Class IV/V Cheoah, Nantahala Cascades & Upper, West Fork Tuck, and Tallulah rivers. Also 2025 marks the third year of releases on the Great Falls of the Catawba! Thankfully, none of these rivers were significantly affected by Hurricane Helene. 

Enjoy these releases, big thanks to all the volunteers and agency staff that make these releases possible, be safe out there, and we appreciate your support of this work.

February

2/22: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-12pm, 600 12pm-5pm (note 2/23 is @ 200 cfs)

March

3/22: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm, 600 4pm-12am

3/23: Cheoah @600 12am-12pm, 300 12pm through 3/24

April

4/5: Tallulah @ 500 8am-4pm; 

4/6: Tallulah @ 700 8am-4pm; 

4/12: Tallulah @ 500 8am-4pm; Cheoah @1000 8am-4pm

4/13: Tallulah @ 700 8am-4pm; Cheoah @1000 8am-2pm & 850 2pm-4pm 

4/19: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 250 10am-4pm; 

4/20: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 350 10am-4pm; 

4/26: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm; Cheoah @1000 8am-4pm

4/27: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm; Cheoah @1000 8am-2pm & 850 2pm-4pm (note 4/28 is @ 300 cfs)

May

5/10: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

5/11: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-2pm & 850 2pm-4pm

5/17: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

5/18: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-2pm & 850 2pm-4pm

June

6/14: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm; 

6/20: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 250 4pm-7pm

6/21: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

6/22: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-2pm & 850 2pm-4pm

July

7/2: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 250 4pm-7pm (Wednesday)

7/5: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm

7/18: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 250 4pm-7pm

7/26: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm

August

8/1: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 250 4pm-7pm

8/9: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm

8/30: West Fork Tuck @ 250 10am-4pm

September

9/6: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

9/27: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 300, 10am-5pm

9/28: Upper Nantahala / Cascades @ 425, 10am-3pm; @ 250 3pm-5pm

October

10/25: Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

November

11/1: Tallulah @ 500 8am-4pm 

11/2: Tallulah @ 700 8am-4pm

11/8: Tallulah @ 500 8am-4pm; Cheoah @ 1000 8am-4pm

11/9: Tallulah @ 700 8am-4pm

11/15: Tallulah @ 500 8am-4pm

11/16: Tallulah @ 700 8am-4pm

Please support this work through joining or donating to AW, have fun, and be safe out there!