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

Needle Rapid

French Broad - 9. Barnard to Hot Springs (NC)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
French Broad River at Marshall, NC Upstream Primary
Runnable: 700.0 – 7,000.0 CFS

1200 is a reasonable minimum for the section from Stackhouse to Hot springs

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Needle Rapid
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

Needle rapid is on the left channel which goes around Mountain Island and is an alternative to running Kayaker Ledge. Commercial rafts will run this rapid when the flow of the French Broad is high and Kayakers Ledge becomes a terminal hole. At high flows >7000cfs Needle will turn into a very large wave train.

Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class II
Mile Marker
6.5 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
9. Barnard to Hot Springs
French Broad
III-IV 8.2 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater