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

Wilma's Ledge aka God's Dam

Cheoah - Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch · NC

American Whitewater 35.3978, -83.8760

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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

Wilma's Ledge aka God's Dam
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

Below the pipe and swinging bridge, the Cheoah drops over an six-foot lowhead dam. At higher levels (above six feet/2000 cfs), the hole is terminal. At medium levels (above five feet/1400 cfs), a direct line opens up on the far right, but the preferred line here is a creeky double-drop on the left, threading the needle between two patches of trees. At lower water (below five feet/1000 cfs), you can power over the middle of the ledge. The difficulty of this rapid, along with all of them on the upper portion of the Cheoah, remains the lack of eddies, countless strainers on both sides of the river and sometimes mid-stream, and powerful holes and pushy water.

Location

Interactive river map Loads as you approach this section.
Type
Hazard
Difficulty
Class IV+
Mile Marker
2.9 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