Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Im heading east in two weeks, I have some friends (2 couples) that just moved north of Blairsville Ga. I will be on the Nantahala for sure, as 3 of the 4 people we are staying with are working for NOC. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what rivers to run within a 2-3 hr drive. I am a class 3 paddler, so keep that in mind. All i have planned so far are Nantahala and French broad. Im not sure if the tuckasegee will have a release or not. I may also raft the ocoee. Any other rivers I should think about?

The Ocoee is a lot of fun and it reminds me of the creeks & rivers in Arkansas...I'd kayak it if you do!

The Pidgeon River has scheduled released, it's a nice Class III

Section III of the Chatooga for sure. Some of the best scenery in the USA. You can carry Bull Sluice at the end easily. It's natural flow so check level, best 1.8 to 2.5 probably.

perspective7 wrote:The Ocoee is a lot of fun and it reminds me of the creeks & rivers in Arkansas...

...with the exception that it runs all the time in the summer. :)

nolichucky is a good one to raft or kayak

Fish wrote:

perspective7 wrote:The Ocoee is a lot of fun and it reminds me of the creeks & rivers in Arkansas...

...with the exception that it runs all the time in the summer. :)

...and reminds me of none of the creeks and rivers in Arkansas because it is continuous class III-IV (including the upper), dam released,roadside, and is ten miles of paddling.

looks like the ocoee doesnt have a release scheduled until the 11th which is the day i leave. Any idea how long of a float it is, including a few swims? Its looking like the schedule will be Nantahala, French broad, Chattooga (water pending) and Ocoee (time pending)

Section II is just over 5 miles and it cooks! I would hate to see someone rushing down it though.

Too much fun to be had.

+1 for Chattooga Sect 3. Best combo of scenery and rapids for a class 3 boater. And you get to size yourself up against a class 4+ drop (5?) at the end that has a well-worn portage trail. I've run it down to less than a foot on the gauge and had fun, but it's much better about 1.4 and up. Over 2.5, the run gets pushy in places and the Bull starts trampling riders who get thrown.

- Fish

Since you're heading east in the spring and given the area you've mentioned you may try the Little River in TN, and the Tuckasegee section 3. No dam release needed. I went and did both of those on a quick trip east last weekend. I typically head back in the summer for the dam releases. Here is a link to the Little https://vimeo.com/64860898" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . If I finish the one for the Tuck before you travel I'll send it your way.