Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Hazard NC Class V

Bear Creek Rapid (The Hole)

Cheoah - Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch · NC

American Whitewater 35.4386, -83.9195

Save this feature with the run it belongs to.

Gauge Conditions

Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco, NC Downstream Primary
Runnable: 400.0 – 3,000.0 CFS
Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Bear Creek Rapid (The Hole)
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

This is a photo of the final hole in the set of rapids below the drop. At mid to high levels, they combine to form one huge rapid. This particular hole can be found at the bottom of the righthand channel. Even at lower to medium levels, this hole is significant, and avoiding it is the toughest part of the Bear Creek Rapid. At levels of 1500 this hole led to a variety of beatdowns and lost gear. Most successful routes were boofing off the left side of the hole. At 1000 cfs there is a minor break in the hole just right of center. The holes backwash is solid at all levels.

Location

Interactive river map Loads as you approach this section.
Type
Hazard
Difficulty
Class V
Mile Marker
7.5 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch
Cheoah
IV-V 9.1 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution in this area.

Current Conditions

5-Day Forecast

Whitewater data from
American Whitewater