Nantahala River, Whitewater river in Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, US
The Nantahala River is a waterway in western North Carolina flowing through deep mountain gorges. It runs from the Georgia border to Fontana Lake within Nantahala National Forest, passing through stretches with different rapids suitable for various skill levels.
A dam was built on the river in 1942 during World War II to provide hydroelectric power for defense industries. The resulting reservoir continues to manage water flow downstream.
The name comes from Cherokee language and refers to midday, because the steep canyon walls block so much sunlight. Visitors notice this feature immediately when walking through the shaded gorge.
Water is released in a controlled manner from spring through fall to support paddling and recreation. An eight-mile stretch offers rapids of varying difficulty for different experience levels.
The river is known for its abundant trout population, producing one of the state's largest specimens ever recorded. This catch in 1998 remains a local fishing landmark.
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