Mini Gorge (general description)
Tuckasegee, West Fork - Thorpe Dam to Thorpe Powerhouse on Tuckasegee Reservoir (NC)
Gauge Conditions
Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.
Description
People who participated in the 2001 flow study identified a collection of four rapids as the "mini-gorge." The number of back-enders and flips they experienced in the first rapid of the mini-gorge led them to collectively name the rapid High Turnover. This first rapid, which is also called The Crux and Burt's Beasts by some people, is indeed "the crux" of the mini-gorge. It is distinct from the mini-gorge's other three rapids, and it is separated from them by a pool and another 50 yards or so of class II water: The rapids downstream of High Turnover include two back-to-back (but distinct) ledges followed by a long, tight, fast, bedrock rapid with small ledges and strong swirls. These three rapids become one, long rapid when the level rises above 3 feet on the gauge at the take-out bridge Each is identified separately with individual descirptions for clarity.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (19)
Hazard
N/A
Waterfall
VI
Waterfall
VI
Rapid
IV
Rapid
IV
Hazard
IV
Waterfall
IV+
Rapid
III+
Rapid
III
Rapid
IV
Rapid
III+
Rapid
IV
Rapid
III+
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
American Whitewater