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

Hazard NC Class III+

Island Rapid

American Whitewater 35.2683, -83.6648

Save this feature with the run it belongs to.

Gauge Conditions

Nantahala River near Hewitt, NC Downstream Primary

Runnable: 900.0 – 2,000.0 CFS

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

This is the last real rapid worth mentioning on the Upper Nantahala. After a mile of boogie, you'll reach a calm spot. At flows 600cfs and below, you will see the giant rock in the top part of the rapid and at higher flows, it will be covered. The top part of the rapid is a ride on the tongue and moving right to miss the rock. For the next part of the rapid, stay center, moving back into the flow as the water merges from the other side of the island. Keep right angle and stay on the right side of the wave train and you'll be fine. Be very careful here as there are several trees down after the drop on river left that can be hazardous.