Nantahala River Gorge

  photo by Bill Lea ©   

History

The Nantahala River is located in the Nantahala National Forest and flows from Macon County into Swain County, North Carolina. The Nantahala River Gorge occupies approximately 9 miles of the Nantahala River from the Beechertown power plant to the upper reaches of Fontana Lake. The Nantahala River Gorge is managed by the Wayah Ranger District of the USDA Forest Service. The river allows for a variety of recreational activities to occur within the rivers corridor including rafting, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, fishing, hiking, viewing, camping, and photography.

The Nantahala River has a history for being an attractive river for whitewater activity. Whitewater recreation on the Nantahala is a by-product of power generation at the Nantahala Hydroelectric Power Plant. Nantahala Power and Light, which serves most of the five far western NC counties, built and began operating the Nantahala Hydroelectric Project in 1942. For the next 40 years TVA, by contract, determined when the plant would run, thus resulting in unpredictable water releases. In 1983, NP&L began dispatching the plant to meet the specific needs of its own customers, which also coincided with the desires of whitewater enthusiasts. 

Because of the more predictable generating schedule, recreational use of the river has grown. In addition to the rivers' whitewater activity, the Nantahala River also has a reputation for its excellent trout fishing. The river offers different regulations for different areas. The area directly above the power plant is known for its Delayed Harvest waters, while the area below the power plant is Hatchery Supported waters. While stream habitat is managed by the Forest Service, the fishing is regulated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. (Link to their web page for fishing regulations.)

In 1971, public use of the Nantahala River was to be assured, when Percy Ferebee donated 5,000 acres to the USA through the Forest Service. This allowed the Forest Service to become the primary landowner along the river and in 1973, the Forest Service began developing a recreational area in memory of Percy Ferebee, the Ferebee Memorial Recreation Area. In 1975, the increased river use started to lead to certain issues, such as the exceeding of the available facilities and road congestion. 

In response, the Forest Service, in conjunction with Nantahala Power and Light, the Swain County Commissioners, and the Nantahala Gorge Association established a dialogue for river management. In 1979, the Forest Service assigned the first river administrator to the Gorge, thus marking the beginning of the Forest Services' leadership in the Nantahala River Gorge area management. Following the appointment of the first administrator, the first management assessment was written in 1980 and proposed to the public for review in 1981. At this time river use was approaching 90,000 users per year including private use, outfitter use, and institutional use (such as colleges & camps). Impacts on resources were becoming very evident. In response, the Forest Service developed a Management Assessment and Action Plan based on response from private paddlers, state and local agencies, and commercial outfitters in order to develop a long-term management proposal. Included in this plan, commercial users were placed under permit and maximum guidelines were established to restrict the total daily use. This Management Assessment and Action Plan was implemented in 1984.

Commercial Use

All outfitting/guiding activity requires a special use permit. This includes semi-public institutions such as colleges, universities, and camps with a select clientele. Educational training for a fee is a form of outfitting/guiding. All commercial use in the Nantahala has been limited since 1984. Currently, there are 15 commercial outfitter/guide permits which serve the general public and 7 semi-public/institutional outfitters who serve a select clientele such as universities and camps.

Recreation Use Fee

  photo by Bill Lea ©   

The Nantahala River Gorge is managed as a recreational complex by the Wayah Ranger District as part of the Recreation Fee Demonstration Project. The general public pays a fee for the use of National Forest land and facilities. The fee is $1.00/person/day or $5.00 /person for a season pass. Season passes are not transferable from one person to another. Lost season bracelets will not be replaced. You will have to purchase a new one. Broken season passes will be replaced when returned. Season passes are available the Wayah Ranger District, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Brookside Campground, and Endless River Adventures. Fee envelopes are to be used when Forest Service employees are not at the site selling bracelets. The commercial outfitters pay a fee for their clientele. Approximately 85% of the use fees collected are from commercial outfitters.

New Improvements and Plans for 2000

  photo by Bill Lea ©   

Use fees will go towards the following projects:

Public Take-out: A new accessible public take-out opened in May of 1999. It is located immediately upstream from NOC's restaurant on river right. The project was funded by a line-item appropriation submitted to congress by Congressman Taylor in combination with grants by the North Carolina Division of Tourism, the Nantahala Conservation Fund and recreation use fees. This is a barrier free take-out that can accommodate the needs of different people. The old Silvermine Take-out is for commercial use now.

Patton's Run: A viewing area/emergency landing, below the lower rapids, was constructed in the summer of 1999 along with an access trail. This was in done in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The work will help prevent the river bank from eroding and keep sediment from going into the Nantahala River. We encourage people to use the surfaced trail to prevent erosion, stream sedimentation and soil compaction that can harm the trees over time. The area around the overlook will also receive minor landscaping in 2000. We plan to extend the trail in 2000.

Changing Rooms: In the spring of 2000, three of the old vault toilets at the Nantahala River Launch Site will open as changing rooms with benches for clothes. They have been totally reconditioned. Please use these new rooms if you are changing clothes to accommodate the needs of those needing to use the toilets. One of the old vault toilets will remain for winter use .

Silvermine Bridge: The Forest Service and NCDOT worked together using funds from the Fee Demonstration Project to construct a foot bridge from the Silvermine Take-out across Silvermine Creek towards NOC's bike shop. This was completed in January of 2000. This addressed the public safety concern. We plan to do some erosion control work at Silvermine Take-out.

Ferebee: The remaining appropriation from congress and Fee Demonstration Project funds will be used towards upgrading the facilities at the Ferebee Memorial Recreation Area. A well was drilled in 1999. A permit for a septic tank and drain field was obtained from the State of North Carolina in 1999. A new flush toilet, similar to the one at the Nantahala River Launch Site, will be constructed by the winter of 2000.

Finger Lake Area of Fontana Lake: Fee Demonstration Funds will provide for a port-a-john at this area.

Wesser Parking Area: Plans are to develop a short term parking area for 20 to 25 cars in the curve just upstream from Wesser Falls and above the scouting/beaching area. Feasibility of the project depends on the NCDOT improving sight distance in the curve and providing fill material from the curve widening and from the excavation resulting from installing the new bridge across the Nantahala River to NOC. The first step will be building a retaining wall to hold the fill material.

Future Considerations for Recreation Use Fee

The Forest Service is considering several future projects which will be funded with the recreation use fee. These include:

Commercial Take-out: The existing take-out is in need of improvement to better use the existing space and to serve the increased public use since the take-out was originally designed. This upgrade will also make the area more attractive while addressing environmental concerns. The area between the commercial take-out and the new public take-out continues to erode losing river bank. The vast amount of foot traffic has left existing trees and vegetation in a damaged state. As funds become available the take-out will be expanded and improved.

Winding Stair Parking Area: As future funds become available a small parking area will be developed between the double bridges on Winding Stair Road (SR 1412) and US 19. This would provide parking for the use of the Nantahala River Bike Trail, river viewing, and for use of the Bartram Trail.

Finger Lake Area of Fontana Lake: As funds become available, the trail and parking area will be upgraded.

CAUTION - SAFETY ON THE ROAD AND RIVER!!!

  photo by Bill Lea ©  

In March of 2000, the NCDOT will begin the widening of US 19 and construction of a new bridge across the Nantahala River at NOC. The road widening and bridge will cause congestion in and around the road project along US 19 at NOC. Traffic lanes will be blocked at various times from Monday morning at 9 a.m. to Friday morning at 6 a.m. Traffic lanes will not be blocked on the weekends or on holidays. There will still be more congestion than normal in the road so watch out and be careful. During the week, it would be best to plan an alternate route. The project will not be completed until December of 2001.

The bridge construction will require the building of a temporary bridge and causeway out into the river below the existing bridge. Because of this construction, the area below the Silvermine Take-out will not be suitable for paddling or practice sessions during the construction period. Large cranes, equipment and a low temporary bridge will make this area extremely dangerous even for those who end up in the water at this point accidentally. You will need to find another place to practice running gates. Please help others get out of the water above this point.

Contacts

For questions, comments, or suggestions on the management of the Nantahala River or the Recreational Use Fees, you may contact Sally Browning, Assistant Ranger for Recreation, Lands, and Fire or Michael L. Wilkins, District Ranger, Wayah Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828) 524-6441.

Updated 2/15/00

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