Rivers and Creeks in Graham County, Western North Carolina
fishing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing and tubing.

Cheoah River

Cheoah River is a tributary of the Little Tennessee River. It is located in the southwestern corner of Graham County in western North Carolina, near Robbinsville, North Carolina and is approximately 20 miles in length. Its headwaters are in the Appalachian Mountains where if flows northwest near Robbinsville, to the Santeetlah Reservoir and flows towards the Tennessee border with a terminus at the Little Tennessee between the Cheoah Dam and Lake Calderwood.

Directions: Grocery Store to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch
Class 4-5  •  7.1 Miles
Average Gradient 83 fpm  •  Maximum Gradient 114 fpm
Minimum Suggested Level: 4.15 ft  •  Maximum Suggested Level: 6 ft
Put in: Jo Anne’ Gas and Grocery - ask permission to park
Take Out: The Boat Ramp at Lake Calderwood

Santeetlah River

This river may run after a heavy rain.

Directions: Forest Service road 81 to Santeetlah Lake
Class 2-4  •  5 Miles
Put ins: Campground on NC-1127 or upstream at the USFS Rd 81 bridge

Gate to FS Rd 81 bridge

Class 3+  •  5 Miles
Put in: FS Rd parking area at the gate
Take out: Concrete bridge that crosses the river
Caution: A lot of wood in some bad places

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