Whitewater Access Points and Information

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Carter County Whitewater Paddling Reaches:

·         Lower Watauga River – Recreational Releases every Saturday Memorial Day-Labor Day

1.       Wilbur Dam to Riverside Park – Class I-II

                Map with driving directions

2.       Riverside Park to Wagner Road Boat Ramp – Class I-II

               Map with driving directions

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1795/

TVA Release Schedule: 800-238-2264 – Menu Option #4 – Dam #42

·         Doe River – Natural Flow

1.       Upper Doe – Happy Trails Park to Bear Cage Road Bridge – Class II-III+

             Map with driving directions

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1741/

2.       Doe Gorge – Bear Cage Road Bridge to Green Bridge Landing – Class III-IV

             Map with driving directions

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1742/

3.       Lower Doe – Green Bridge Landing to Covered Bridge Park – Class II-III

             Map with driving directions

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1743/

TVA Valley Stream Flows: 800-238-2264 – Menu Option #3

·         Laurel Fork of the Doe – Natural Flow

1.       Laurel Fork Gorge – Dennis Cove AT Trailhead to Laurel Falls Trailhead – Class IV-V(V+)

             Map with driving directions  (Note – challenging mountain roads.  Use caution.)

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3994/

This run typically starts to get flowing after rain when the Doe River is at 750 CFS.  A visual flow gauge, installed by Tony Robinson, is attached to the rock caged retaining wall on river left near the take-out on Laurel Street near the intersection of Roark Park Ln in Hampton, TN.  3-6” on Gauge is low runnable.  6”-12” is medium flow.  12”-16” is high side of good.  +18” = crazy gnar!!!

·         Elk River – Natural Flow

1.       Elk Gorge, AKA Twisting Falls of the Elk – Elk River Falls to Poga Rd Bridge – Class IV-V(V+)

             Map with driving directions   (Note – challenging mountain roads.  Use caution.)

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3045/

This run typically starts to get flowing after rain when the Watauga River is at 500 CFS at the TVA Sugar Grove Gauge.  TVA Valley Stream Flows: 800-238-2264 – Menu Option #3.  A visual flow gauge, installed Tony Robinson, is attached to the Poga Road Bridge pillar nearest to river right at the takeout.  Current runnable levels are considered 1′-3″ to 3-6″‘ on the gauge.  Around 2’-0″ on the gauge is considered prime.  This run is expedition style gorge boating at its finest!

2.       Lower Elk – Poga Rd Bridge to Elk Mills US 321 Bridge – Class II-III

              Map with driving directions   (Note – challenging mountain roads.  Use caution.)

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1744/