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Home , Cherokee Dam, Holston River

BE A GOOD STEWARD PADDLE POINTERS The is known for its clean water and pristine Follow these 12 tips to help keep your next paddle trip safe: rural shorelines. Here’s how you can help play a part in keeping the river beautiful: Know Your Limits—Paddle water that is appropriate to your skills. Not sure about • Stay on the path. Shorelines are fragile ecosystems; where to find it? Talk to a local paddle shop owner about good places to paddle please restrict launching and landing to designated for every skill level. areas only. Keep an Eye on the Weather—Storms can spring up quickly in the south bringing • Leave no trace behind. No littering, pack it in, pack it lightning, high winds and choppy water. Point your prow toward shore whenever ON THE HOLSTON RIVER out, for more info visit www.lnt.org. you hear thunder, no matter how distant. Whether you are stepping into your boat • Look, don’t touch. Do not disturb any natural or cultural or onto your board for the first time or resources you may encounter. Follow the Law for recreational vessels of the . have logged enough hours on the water • Respect private property. Do not trespass above the high water mark. to rival the best of guides, having a little • Be a happy camper. Camp only in designated areas. Bring Flotation—Always wear a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket, type II or III at back-pocket information is key. Here is • Don’t play with fire. No campfires unless otherwise designated. minimum. Children under 12 years of age must wear a lifejacket.* some simple information about some of Wear a Helmet—If you fall in, a helmet can protect your the River Valley’s best paddles– TVA PUBLIC LANDS head from hard or sharp objects that may be lurking where to show up, how to get there and The public lands entrusted to TVA for stewardship are available for hiking, below the surface. what to bring along for the ride. birdwatching, camping, fishing, hunting and other informal recreational pursuits. Watch for River Hazards—Watch for fallen tree limbs, One of the most amazing things about the Some important regulations to protect the resource and your safety should be followed. Camping in a primitive campsite on TVA lands is allowable up to 14 days. barbed wire, bridge piers and other hazards that system and its tributaries is how easy it is can snare or entangle you. for you to get to places to relax and recreate. As part of its You should follow all state hunting seasons and regulations. In addition, motorized mission of service, TVA manages its public lands and waters vehicles, cutting or removing vegetation, target shooting or removal of cultural Be Visible...and Audible—Keep alert to other to support recreation so that the remains one artifacts are not allowed on TVA public lands. For more information visit www. boats. If you believe another boat has not of the best places in the country to live, work and play. tva.com/undeveloped, or call the TVA’s Public Lands Information Center at (800) seen you, blow your whistle* and wave your TVA-LAND (toll-free). paddle to alert the other boat. A flashlight* is THE HOLSTON RIVER required if you plan to paddle after sunset. TVA’S DAMS The Holston River is actually made up of four major river forks (Nork Fork, Dress for Success—Wear Middle Fork, South Fork, and Watauga Rivers) that drains much of northeastern TVA owns and operates a total of 4 dams on the Holston River and its forks. clothing sufficient to Tennessee, southwestern , and northwestern . The entire Dam impounds the mainsteam of the Holston River near Morristown, prevent hypothermia river system spans 274 miles and it ends at the TN and further upstream, Boone, Fort , and South Holston dams and/or sunburn. confluence of the French Broad and Holston impound the south fork of the Holston River in upper . The to form the Tennessee. The Holston River Holston River is a major tributary to the Tennessee River, and the river system Wear Sunscreen—The CDC recommends applying offers some of the best trout fishing in the drains a large area of over 3,700 miles. Flows from the Holston River help support a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 to help prevent Country, people come from all over the world water quality immediately below the dam but also for hundreds of miles along sunburn and skin damage. the main-stem Tennessee River. The Tennessee Valley Authority provides flood to fish South Holston and Watauga rivers. Don’t Paddle Alone—Paddling is an activity that is control, hydroelectric power and other benefits by managing the flow of the The Holston below the is also always better with friends and family, anyway. known for trout fishing, but eventually turns Holston River through the operation of Cherokee Dam. into excellent smallmouth bass fishing as you Never Drink and Paddle—Alcohol impairs coordination travel further downstream. The river flows 52 When paddling near a dam, please know: and judgment. miles from Cherokee Dam to Knoxville. You’ll Water release schedules can change enjoy the easy-going, scenic beauty as you without notice due to unanticipated Communicate Your Plan in Advance—Plan ahead, and let someone who’s not travel through pastoral countryside and bluff- changes in weather conditions and power going to be aboard know your paddling agenda. Be aware that some sections of lined shores. Paddling and fishing are very system requirements. The depth and the river have no cell phone service. popular activities, and there are opportunities swiftness of the river can change rapidly. *U.S. Coast Guard Requirement for hiking at House Mountain Natural Area. Your safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings. There are currently only three access points Information about the water releases from PARTNERS: along the Holston River from the Cherokee Cherokee Dam can be found on TVA.com Dam tailwaters to the head of the Tennessee and TVA’s Lake Info app or you can call River, but expect more to come as the interest in river access and community (800) 238-2264 (toll-free) and select option momentum are securing more resources for the public to enjoy. 2 for predicted unit schedules and x05 for Cherokee information by phone. It is Grab your paddles, your fishing gear and this map, and let your imagination important to understand the water release be your guide. All you need to do is get out there and have a good time. Share schedule before paddling or swimming in the river as the water’s current and your own stories and photos on Instagram or Twitter using #TVAfun, or at www. depth can change rapidly. facebook.com/TVA using our #TVAFun tab. It is important to understand the water schedule before paddling or swimming For fishing regulations and license requirements, please check with TWRA or visit in the river as the water’s current and depth can change rapidly. Generally, one www.gooutdoorstennessee.com. generator provides flow conditions to help you paddle along. tva.com | facebook.com/TVA | @TVAnews | @TVA

19 -224 4 0 419 HOLSTON RIVER

R Name River Mile Parking Next Access Distance M 5 h 2 Cherokee Dam 52 Paved Indian Cave Park canoeD access 12.01 c y n e a 9 r r .9 Cherokee Indian Cave Park 39.99 Gravel Nances Ferry 6.75 9 B B 3 M r k Dam a R Nances Ferry 33.24 Gravel McBee Ferry 16.24 c n i c h L Indian Cave

McBee Ferry 17 TBD Asheville Hwy 10.43 Park k

Asheville Hwy Bridge 6.57 Paved Holston River Park 4.31 61 e e

ch r L n Holston River Park 1.1 Paved a Blaine C a r m B d n t m a

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*Before your trip, check the TVA Lake Info App or call 1-800-238-2264 (select #05 for Cherokee) to determine l 4 i h 2

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3 the B river elevation and streamflow. You can assume 3 miles/hour average speed; however, travel speed and

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level.c Discharges are in cubic feet per second and are reported at the end of the hour. R d h Richlan Sna Nances TO ggy Is N h la a ranc n Ferry nc MORRISTOWN B d e te k ’s Ferry Rd i e I M e n House r S d o C Lewis i u Mountain t Branch a t n h a M Fl 331 e B C F c r o a ri a o B n

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L n W g g ov g a c n Local Park Dam e Br s C a h nc h C r e 640 r e e 0 1.5 3 4.5 6 e .57 k k 6 M Miles R 11E Asheville h nc ra DIFFICULTY Based on the International Scale of River Dif culty, the Holston River is primarily Class

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158 m a eDISCLAIMER:s The featured map is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended, and should not be relied upon, to provide accurate locations, directions, or data. Paddle at your own risk. Fallen trees, built structures, and other hazards are present in the water throughout the Holston River system. Be alert to weather

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62 t conditions,e water levels, and river traffic. Know your abilities. Boating involves some risk of drowning, injury, or death. TVA is not responsible for your personal safety or for your vehicle and is not liable for injury to you or damage to your vehicle, boat, or personal property. SE eP Rd Knoxville P Spenc l Marbledale Ko Kodak S k S e da e v w k d v

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Douglas Dam Campgrounds