Multiple Dates
2026 Upper Cascades Releases
Description
2026 Upper Cascades scheduled releases are brought to you by American Whitewater. Nantahala Outdoor Center is a proud sponsor of American Whitewater’s work to protect and restore rivers across the country. Learn more about becoming an American Whitewater member here.
Several times a year, Duke Energy creates more forceful water releases in our section of the Nantahala River where kayakers like to paddle and bring onlookers to watch.
2026 Releases
April
| Dates | Flow | Time |
|---|---|
| 4/18 | 250 CFS | 10am - 4pm |
| 4/19 | 350 CFS | 10am - 4pm |
June
| Dates | Flow | Time |
|---|---|
| 6/19 | 250 CFS | 4pm - 7pm |
July
| Dates | Flow | Time |
|---|---|
| 7/1 | 250 CFS | 4pm - 7pm |
| 7/24 | 250 CFS | 4pm - 7pm |
August
| Dates | Flow | Time |
|---|---|
| 8/7 | 250 CFS | 4pm - 7pm |
September
| Dates | Flow | Time |
|---|---|
| 9/26 | 300 CFS | 10am - 5pm |
| 9/27 | 425 CFS | 10am - 3pm |
| 9/27 | 250 CFS | 3pm - 5pm |
• Release times listed above are the times when flows should arrive immediately below the confluence of Whiteoak Creek with the Nantahala River.
• All flows in the Nantahala gorge on the dates listed above are additive to the generation flows of about 550 cfs and natural stream flow.
