Kayak Love

North Carolina · river

Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

97of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Cheoah Hydroelectric Dam Graham Co NC.jpg by Dantripphoto, CC BY-SA 3.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

8 mph

gusting to 14 mph

Air temp

77°F

18% chance of rain

River flow

108 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Thursday · 100

  • Today

    94

  • Tue

    88

  • Wed

    92

  • Thu

    100

    Best

  • Fri

    89

  • Sat

    88

  • Sun

    92

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
7p813
8p815
9p817
10p815
11p915
12a1017
1a1017
2a915
3a1015
4a1015
5a916
6a914

Is this flow normal for September 7?

Today's 108 cfs is 23% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 88 cfs, across 25 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind8 mph — noticeable but manageable-3

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

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