Hurricane Helene River Updates

Last updated: 6/4/25

In September 2024 Hurricane Helene significantly impacted Western North Carolina. Rivers affected include: French Broad, Green, Nolichucky, Pigeon, Toe, and Wilson Creek. Bottom line: The rivers have and will continue to change for some time, especially after high water events. Be safe.

French Broad 9: Barnard, Stackhouse and Hot Springs all open, a little less parking at Stackhouse. No significant changes to the rapids.
Noli: No put-in access or place to leave a vehicle at the top; you have to have a shuttle driver. Chestoah is open and is the only takeout option. Almost nothing on the river is the same; it would be wise to go with someone who has run it. Changes are too extensive to describe briefly but it’s a solid step up from what it was. Gauge is in feet now, runs down to the low 1’s with 2 being a solid medium and 4 being a solid high (it gets testy for Class III boaters above 2 now).  See also this recent trip report by Mort Cone

Pigeon: Take-outs for both Gorge and Lower are open. Put-in for the Gorge is at the Vegomatic bridge; keep cars at the top to a minimum to leave space for raft buses. Accelerator is more or less the same but all other rapids have significantly changed. It’s a step down from what it was (similar difficulty to the Nantahala) but more hazardous because of the I-40 repair project taking over the riverbed in places.

Green Narrows: The Green Narrows is a new river. Only natural flow for the foreseeable future.

Lower Green: Rapids haven’t changed much. Much debris in the river and Cove. See this extended video (1+hours) by Fast Fred for the Lower Green. Only natural flow for the foreseeable future.

Wilson Creek: Closed

 

Special thanks to Carrie Mann and Fast Fred  for updates

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