Great Falls Short Channel

The Short Channel of Great Falls of the Catawba offers significantly bigger and more challenging rapids than the Long Channel. Several rapids include relatively big waves and holes. The first rapid is just below the put in and offers a fairly straightforward big wavetrain down the center-right that can be made easier by finishing left at the very bottom. There are some holes in the lead-in that are easily avoided. After this is a break and then 2 sets of rapids with multiple channels and routes. The biggest and clearest line is generally down the middle/right channels. Everything can be boat scouted. Starting in July of 2023 there were new releases and access following over a century of being dewatered. There is a new 100 cfs base flow restored to the river, plus 2,860 cfs recreational releases from 10am to 3pm, One Saturday per month in March and April, plus 2 weekends (Saturday and Sunday) per month from May 1 - October 31. American Whitewater worked closely with other groups to negotiate these releases. Paddlers will initially begin their Short Channel trips at the same Canal Street Access Site, or for a longer paddle could begin at the Nitrolee Access Area that offers access to the Long Channel. Accessing the run requires a portage around the diversion dam on river left. Look for the very obvious portage landing on Mountain island (the left bank) and take the trail and stairs to the base of the dam. After your run, paddle across the reservoir to the Stumpy Pond Access Area or hike back up the short channel on the river left trail.