LITMIR.BIZ

      WATER SURFACE: Whenever information can be obtained by phone, such as for dam-controlled streams and streams entering into the Tennessee Valley, a telephone number has been provided.

      A recorded message giving stream flow in the valley can be obtained by calling the Tennessee Valley Authority at (800) 238-2264. Two useful Web sites for finding information about river levels are:

      http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/streaminfo

      http://water.usgs.gov.

      DIFFICULTIES: A brief description of specific points that might present problems for the paddler are listed, hopefully in enough detail to make them recognizable without taking away the thrill of running a new river.

      DIRECTIONS: Detailed directions have been given to find the put-in and the takeout. Where there are several sections of a particular stream included, only the put-in on the first section and the takeout on the last section are described. It is assumed that anyone who intends to paddle a good bit of a river will obtain county road maps. These maps are available from the local county office of the State Highway Engineer or from:

      North Carolina Department of Transportation

      Division of Highways

      1500 Mail Service Center

      Raleigh, NC 27611

      (919) 733-2520

      Visit www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/operations/secondaryroads/maps.html to obtain an order form online. There is a charge for county maps.

      Where a river flows through several counties, county roads will be referenced by name and number (Burke CR 1100) initially. Thereafter, only a route number will be given until another road in the next county is introduced.

      Exertion brings vital physiological reactions when there are worthwhile goals to achieve. Without weariness there can be no real appreciation of rest, without hunger no enjoyment of food, without the ancient responses to the harsh simplicities of the environment that shaped mankind, a man cannot know the urges within him. Having known this during a period of life when I could satisfy the needs, I think I understand what wilderness can mean to the young men of today.

      —Sigurd F. Olson

      partOne

      HIAWASSEE AND LITTLE TENNESSEE WATERSHED

TUSQUITEE CREEK

      Tusquitee Creek heads up in Nantahala National Forest and runs along south of the Tusquitee Mountains. It flows primarily through a pastoral region before confluencing with the Hiawassee River downstream from Hayesville. The trip can be extended 2.5 miles by continuing on to the Hiawassee and paddling downstream to the second bend, coming close to CR 1300. Take out at the junction of CR 1345 with CR 1300.

      MAPS: Shooting Creek, Hayesville (USGS); Clay (County)

      class: I–II

      length: 5.2 mi.

      time: 2.5 hrs.

      gauge: Visual

      level: –5 in. & above

      permits: No

      gradient: 27

      scenery: A–B

      CR 1330 BRIDGE TO CR 1300 BRIDGE

      DESCRIPTION: There are no difficulties. This is primarily a series of small rock gardens interspersed with an occasional ledge; however, be on the lookout for downed trees blocking the passage.

      SHUTTLE: Take Tusquitee Street north out of Hayesville across the Hiawassee and bear northeast on CR 1307 to the gauge. Go beyond the gauge approximately 3.5 miles to CR 1330 and south to the bridge. To reach the takeout, take Tusquitee Street across the Hiawassee and bear northwest on CR 1300 approximately 1 mile to the takeout bridge.

      GAUGE: It’s located on the southwest side of the CR 1307 bridge at the junction of CR 1326. The minimum level for a solo run is 5 inches below the bottom of zero. The river can be run almost all year, except during dry spells.

HIAWASSEE RIVER

      The Hiawassee heads up in the vicinity of Unicoi Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia and runs north until the impoundment at Lake Chatuge, where it enters North Carolina. It flows generally west to the backwaters of Hiawassee Lake west of Murphy.

      MAPS: Hayesville, Peachtree (USGS); Clay, Cherokee (County)

      class: I–II

      length: 11.5 mi.

      time: 2.5 hrs.

      gauge: Visual

      level: n/a

      permits: No

      gradient: 11

      scenery: A–B

      RECREATION AREA ON CLAY CR 1140 (MEYERS CHAPEL ROAD) TO CLAY CR 1302 BRIDGE

      DESCRIPTION: There is some fairly heavy water at the shoals about 0.5 miles below the mouth of Fires Creek. This spot can swamp the unwary paddler quite easily. At lower levels there are many rock and boulder gardens throughout the stretch. The trip can be extended 1.5 miles by continuing on CR 1140 south to CR 1146, putting in at Barnard Bridge below the dam.

      SHUTTLE: Take US 64 east from Hayesville and turn right into the recreation area on CR 1140. The takeout is reached by going west on US 64 from Hayesville and turning right on CR 1302 to the bridge.

      GAUGE: None. The TVA plant at Lake Chatuge is generally in operation throughout the week, and under certain conditions runs on weekends. It is easy to see if there are no mud flats along the river. The operation schedule is not known until after 8 p.m. the night before. Call (800) 238-2264 after that time. The paddling times given on both sections are estimates and apply when power is being generated. When it is not, add at least 2.5 hours to section A and 1.5 hours to section B.

      class: I–II

      length: 9.5 mi.

      time: 3 hrs.

      gauge: Visual

      level: n/a

      permits: No

      gradient: 14

      scenery: A–B

      CLAY CR 1302 (SHALLOWFORD) BRIDGE TO US 64 WEST OF PEACHTREE

      DESCRIPTION: Mission Dam, located about 1.5 miles below the put-in, should be approached cautiously. There is a log boom below sand flats on the right, which can be crossed to a fairly easy takeout. Portage about 75 yards down the old road to a well-worn path and then another 50 yards below the fence to a short path to the dam race. The dam, operated by Duke Power, only runs when power is being generated at Lake Chatuge.

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