Last Chance-Cheoah Release for the Summer

Next weekend (June 20th and 21st) is the last release on the Cheoah River for this spring/summer (there is one more scheduled release-Nov 7th). One of the questions we often get about the Cheoah is why the release schedule doesn't include more dates during the summer. If whitewater recreation was the only factor to consideration when releasing water into this river, it certainly makes sense that the majority of releases dates would be in the summer. However other factors had to be considered.

The Cheoah River is one of many waterways created and controlled by the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project which is owned and operated by Alcoa Power Generating Inc, a subsidiary of Alcoa Aluminium. Every 40 - 50 years all hydroelectric generation plants must be relicensed and during the relicensing process there is an opportunity for interested parties to raise concerns about the management of the river. The dams in the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project came up for relicensing in 2005 but the process began back in 1998.

American Whitewater, in conjunction with whitewater outfitters, local paddling clubs and environmental resource management agencies negotiated for environmental and recreational releases in the Cheoah River under the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) laws. These laws which stipulate that recreational opportunities must be considered for the public and meet certain environmental criteria. The group succeeded in securing an minimum environmental flow for the Cheoah River with periodic high water releases, which are the dates when we are able to offer rafting trips.

Previously the river bed had been dry for 77 years. These flow levels are intended to restore the natural habitat of the river bed in addition to providing recreational opportunities. The recreational release schedule was designed to mimic the high water events that would occur naturally on the river due to spring rains, which is why the majority of releases occur in the spring and early summer. The hope is that by releasing a continuous minimal flow with periodic high water releases at time of natural flood events, native species will once again be able to inhabit the river and thrive. High water flows act in much the same way that periodic fires do in forests. The water clears sediment and vegetation, redistributes nutrients and increases the health of the the habitat.

The link below is an interesting podcast that American Whitewater broadcasted about the difficult process that occurred while securing recreational releases on the Cheoah. There's also some great footage of the river itself.

LVMTV :: Monday Morning Madhouse 3/16; American Whitewater's successes with Cheoah Releases from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.