Bear Creek Rapid (The Slide)
Cheoah - Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch (NC)
Gauge Conditions
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
The next set of rapids, combined with the drop, form one of the most demanding parts of the entire river.
The start of this rapid is a big slide with a number of route options. From there you have two large holes to punch before you can eddy above the bottom hole. Three fatalities have occurred in this rapid. It should be approached with the utmost caution, with safety set, or run left of the island.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (20)
Rapid
Put-In
Rapid
First diversion pipe
Hazard
III+
Craik's Ledge
Hazard
IV
The rapid above the pipe
Rapid
III+
Swinging Bridge Rapid
Hazard
IV+
Wilma's Ledge aka God's Dam
Hazard
IV+
Takeout Rapid (not the takeout)
Hazard
Takeout/Entrance
Hazard
Takeout/First Drop
Rapid
IV
Typical Upper Cheoah Scene
Rapid
IV
Typical Rapid on the Middle Cheoah - Yellow Creek Rapid.
Rapid
IV
Land of Holes
Rapid
I
The deadend pool
Rapid
III
The easy stuff
Rapid
The Forest Service Bridge
Playspot
III
Rod's Hole
Rapid
IV+
Entrance to Bear Creek Rapid
Waterfall
V
The Falls
Rapid
IV+
Bear Creek - The left side of the Island.
Hazard
V
Bear Creek Rapid (The Hole)
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
American Whitewater