American Whitewater is pleased to announce the 2013 schedule of releases for the typically de-watered West Fork of the Tuckasegee River, located near Glenville, North Carolina.  These releases are the direct result of negotiations between American Whitewater, our affiliate clubs, Duke Energy and other regional stakeholders.     

All releases will be at an optimum flow of 250cfs, from 10am to 4pm. The 2013 release dates are:

• April 13
• April 14
• May 11
• June 8
• July 6
• July 27
• August 10

In addition to these scheduled dates, Duke Energy will be conducting maintenance on the West Fork powerhouse from early April through mid June.  During this timeframe, all releases will be made from Glenville Dam and will offer significant and unprecedented paddling opportunities on the West Fork.  Duke Energy will be posting these unscheduled releases several days in advance as "Special Notices" on their lake level website, and is working with American Whitewater to meet recreational objectives with these releases while also meeting other water management obligations.  

In the coming months leading up to the first release, parking lots will be completed at both the put in (along Glenville Reservoir) and the take out (along Tuckasegee Reservoir).  In addition, a nice 1-mile put in trail from Glenville Reservoir to the base of High Falls will be completed.  Paddlers should plan on using only these access points, should not put on upstream of the several large unrunnable falls above the put in, and of course should respect private property bordering the river.  No shuttles will be provided.  Additional information on access and management will be posted to the AW page prior to the first release.  

The West Fork of the Tuck will almost certainly become a favorite for regional paddlers.  With this said, the creek is relatively long, unknown, tight, committing, woody, and challenging.  We ask that only teams of solid boaters comfortable with exploratory class V (advanced/expert) paddling attend the first couple releases. Smaller numbers of paddlers the first couple days will help the paddling community safely learn and enjoy this stream. Safety is paramount.      

This spring the West Fork joins the ranks of the Upper Nantahala, Tallulah, and Cheoah: all outstanding Class IV/V paddling opportunities negotiated by American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs.  Together these opportunities offer paddlers 43 scheduled days of restored advanced boating for the Southern Appalachian paddling community each year. American Whitewater's current participation in the management of the West Fork is supported by the Charles Paul Horner Memorial Fund and our members.  Enjoy, and please support AW.