Whitewater

This page discusses whitewater rapids. For the alleged scandal involving the former US President Bill Clinton, see Whitewater scandal.

Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient drops enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current. In fact, there are three factors that separately or in combination can create rapids: gradient, constriction, and obstruction.

The gradient of a river is the rate at which it falls (usually listed at feet per mile--e.g., the Ocoee River in Tennessee falls at approximately 45 feet per mile). Basically, this is the angle at which the river slopes.

Constrictions form a rapid when a river's flow is forced into a narrow channel (for instance, when going through a steep canyon). This pressure causes the water to react differently to riverbed events (rocks, drops, etc.).

And lastly, there is obstruction. A boulder in the middle of a river can create constriction to the flow of the river, as well as create a "drop" (over the boulder) and hydralics (where the river flows back on itself--perhaps back under the drop--often to fearful results for those caught in its grasp).

These days the term has a broader meaning applying to any river or creek that has a significant number of rapids and the term is also used to specify a kind of kayaking, canoeing or rafting on these rivers. Ex. One of his hobbies is whitewater kayaking.

Rivers in the eastern section of the United States are usually considered "technical," which means that due to lesser water volume, rafters/kayakers must often direct their craft through boulder-strewn sections of river, through narrow channels, through shoals, and so forth. This requires a degree of "river reading" skill, paddling precision, and so forth.

In the western United States, the more noted rivers (e.g., Grand Canyon) have much larger water volumes, and so boulders and such are not really an issue. Thus, the technical expertise needed by eastern paddlers is not required. However, other skill sets are required for western paddling. The most obvious one is the ability to operate an oar boat. While eastern boats are usually powered by several paddlers, on many western rivers, only the guide paddles. He/she must learn to operate, bascially, backwards, since their back is usually downstream.

To simplify, western rivers usually do not require the precision paddling of eastern rivers. However, western rivers usually offer larger rapids due to the water volume (which is not to say that eastern rapids are by any means small; only that western rapids have the advantage of greater water flow).

In the eastern United States, there are several "must do" rivers for paddlers. For beginners, there is the Nantahala in North Carolina. It is a relatively gentle river, with the final rapid having the propensity to send paddlers in for a cold, exhilerating swim.

The next step up--and the most fun you can have before things "get scary"--is the Ocoee River just west of Cleveland, Tennessee. The 1996 Olympic Kayak Competition was held on this world-class river. A special section was contructed for the venue, but the "lower" Ocoee is the classic--and best--ride. What makes this river special is that it is almost continuous whitewater. Many river are "drop-pool" rivers, with rapids far apart. Not the Ocoee. Within ten seconds of your first paddle stroke, you will be in a serious class IV rapid. While there are some challenging rapids on the Ocoee, most of the rapids are very forgiving. If you fall in, you'll get a good scare, but will very likely be pulled back into the boat within thirty seconds.

The New River in West Virginia is the next step up. It is a "grown-up" Ocoee river. Larger rapids, fairly close together (except for the long wait for the first one--"Surprise").

The Chattooga (Sections 3 and 4) outside of Clayton, Georgia can, at high water, be thrilling to the point of fear. Huge rapids, big drops, and thunderous power, this river is a challenge for even experts.

The Gauley River in West Virginia, especially at the "Fall Draw Down" (when the reservoir is drained) is a world-class ride. Huge rapids, many of the listed as "class V+" (which is shorthand used for insurance purposes). A true challenge is to do the upper and lower Gauley in a single day. It's twenty-four miles of big rapids and lots of paddling.

Then there is the river that only the most hardcore rafters and kayakers of the east know about or raft: The Russell Fork Gorge. Located in the Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, this river drops 150 ft. per mile in the gorge. Huge and fearful drops. Advanced paddlers only. El Horrendo is the showcase rapid due to its size. The best description of that rapid would be "something like a 45 degree waterfall."

I will leave the western rivers to others....