Noakes and her party had originally planned to paddle a different river, Farrell said.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Noakes and her party had originally planned to paddle a different river, Farrell said."

Elmer Franklin
5 years ago
Views:

1 With three boater deaths on the Cheoah River in a decade, is it too dangerous? Karen Chávez, kchavez@citizen-times.compublished 1:39 p.m. ET March 9, 2018 Updated 5:49 p.m. ET March 10, 2018 (Photo: Citizen Times) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDIN 1COMMENT MORE ROBBINSVILLE - Laura Farrell was surprised to see her friend and kayaking mentor, Maria Noakes, last Saturday at the Cheoah River s Santeetlah Dam put-in. Noakes and her party had originally planned to paddle a different river, Farrell said. But heavy rains had brought the Cheoah up to high-adventure level, and plenty of local boaters were taking advantage of the rare opportunity to run the river through the Nantahala National Forest. I was happy to see her. I got to give her a hug, Farrell said. It was the last time she would see her friend. Noakes, 50, of Bryson City, drowned later that day in the Cheoah's churning whitewater rapids.

2 An expert, internationally known kayaker, Noakes was found separated from her boat just upstream from the Tapoco Lodge, said Zach Allman, an officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, which investigates all boating accidents in the state. MORE: Maria Noakes' husband recounts her adventurous life Adults in her group performed CPR until paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital in Swain County, where she was pronounced dead. No one witnessed the accident in which Noakes became the third person to die on the Cheoah River since 2006, Allman said. The Cheoah is one of the most technically complex rivers on the East Coast, said Heath Emmons, U.S. Forest Service natural resource specialist for the Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger Districts. "It is very difficult, expert water, Emmons said. There s a limited number of experts who can do it. Emmons said the Forest Service does all it can to restrict river use to the most experienced paddlers. Only three outfitters are permitted to offer guided trips Nantahala Outdoor Center, which only uses the river for training, Endless River Adventures of Bryson City and Outland Adventures of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Maria Noakes, center in white helmet, with paddling friends, back row, Maria Noakes, Anna Levesque, Anne Sontheimer, and front row, Christine Vogler and Rebecca Cramer.

3 Maria Noakes, center in white helmet, with paddling friends, back row, Maria Noakes, Anna Levesque, Anne Sontheimer, and front row, Christine Vogler and Rebecca Cramer. (Photo: Courtesy Daniel Brasuell) Paddlers going on their own must purchase a Forest Service bracelet for $2 from authorized vendors along the river. Last year 2,883 people floated the Cheoah, he said. When the river is flowing from a dam release, only non-motorized, hard-bottomed canoes or kayaks, or inflatable watercraft with a minimum of four internal air chambers (rafts) are allowed. Inner tubes are prohibited, and everyone must wear a helmet and life jacket. Floating is only allowed during daylight. Forest Service rangers have an increased presence on the Cheoah during release days to make sure people are following rules, he said. MORE: World champ Asheville kayaker and mom drowns in Cheoah River More:Public memorial, fund set for Maria Noakes, who died in Cheoah River The making of a unique river

4 The Cheoah River - named for the Cherokee word for "otter" - in Graham County was dammed in 1928 by Alcoa Co. to create Lake Santeetlah and generate hydropower, similar to many other Western North Carolina Rivers, including the Nantahala, the Green and the Catawba. But the original federal license did not require river flows for the Cheoah, and allowed the power company to almost entirely dewater the river in a 9-mile stretch from Santeetlah Dam to Lake Calderwood, said Kevin Colburn, national stewardship director for American Whitewater. The nonprofit works to conserve whitewater rivers and improve access. A kayaker takes on a series of large rapids March 25, 2017 on the Cheoah River. (Photo: Citizen Times) When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dam license came up for renewal, the current power company, Brookfield Renewable, worked for years with stakeholders including American Whitewater and other paddling groups, the Forest Service, the state Wildlife Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and river outfitters to hash out a new agreement. In the fall of 2005, after nearly 80 years, the power company began releasing water back into the streambed to simulate natural flows, to help restore some endangered species including the Appalachian elktoe mussel and Virginia spiraea. A secondary benefit was recreational boating. The relicensing agreement is for 40 years.

5 There are some releases a year, meant to mimic natural flooding from heavy rains, which have created more aquatic habitat for fish and their ilk to return home. Biologists say it is hard to determine ecologic restoration success after only a decade, but that the reintroduction of species is going well. At peak flow, the river produces Class IV rapids, considered high-volume whitewater that is difficult to navigate. Rivers are classified from I-V, with the lowest grade being a slowmoving stream, and class V having barely navigable rapids and waterfalls. The Cheoah is unique in the Southeast, Emmons said. During a release, there is a torrent of water. The usual flow is about 250 cubic feet per second, but after a dam release, the river rushes at about 1,000 cfs, he said. There are a lot of drops and bends, rocks are obscured by water, creating hydraulics, holes and river features that weren t there previously and need to be negotiated, Emmons said. There are also trees and vegetation in the streambed that are partially submerged during releases. On April 22, 2007, Ashley Miller, 24, of Asheville, was the first person to die on the Cheoah after dam releases began. The Appalachian State University student was on a private raft trip with a group of friends when the raft hit a hydraulic, she fell out and became trapped under a rapid.

6 A kayaker takes flight as she rides a rapid March 25 on the Cheoah River. The damned river has several water release days throughout the year, and whitewater enthusiasts flock to the Cheoah River on these days to ride the rapids. (Photo: Citizen Times) Miller was described as an experienced boater who guided trips on the Gauley River in West Virginia. Michael Lee Huggins, 64, of Hickory, died while kayaking on the river April 26, According to American Whitewater, the retired veterinarian was alone, but asked to join two other kayakers, who were in a tandem boat. The three paddled together until a large rapid known as Bear Creek Falls, when the kayakers lost sight of Huggins. He was later found, out of his boat, with his spray skirt pinned by a log. Is the Cheoah a dangerous river? Boaters call it creeky because of its constant flow of whitewater without stretches of flat water, its many rocks and ledges. Most whitewater rivers in the Southeast are pool drop in nature. You get breaks in between the rapids, alternating with flat water. The flows are more continuous in nature,

7 resembling rivers out West more than in the Southeast, said Leland Davis, author of the North Carolina Rivers and Creeks guidebook. It adds an added element of challenge, especially for boaters from around here who are used to a slower pace of pool drop whitewater. It is certainly a little more dangerous. There is the potential to take longer swims (when a paddler comes out of their boat). It s also pretty shallow. In combination with swift-moving water, that can make it easier to flip over. But in terms of fatalities, Cheoah is not on top. Over the past 30 years, there have been at least six deaths on the Nantahala River and since 1996, there have been six deaths on the French Broad River, according to American Whitewater, which keeps tallies of river boating accidents and fatalities. Whitewater kayakers paddle the Cheoah River in Graham County Saturday afternoon during a water release. The nine-mile section of river between the Santeetlah Dam and Lake Claderwood, with its Class IV/IV+ rapids and its consistent gradient, make it a major whitewater sports destination in the southeast. (Photo: Citizen Times) Most of the Nantahala River deaths were attributed to foot entrapments, in which people stand up when falling out of a boat instead of floating feet-first to the bank, said Mike Wilkins, Nantahala District Ranger based in Franklin.

8 Among guided rivers, the Nantahala, considered a Class III, is the most popular. Wilkins said there have been as many as 240,000 people floating the river in a year, but on average it draws 180, ,000 people. Should there be changes on the Cheoah? The Forest Service held an informal discussion with Brookfield representatives immediately after the accident. Public safety is always our No. 1 priority and we work closely with the U.S. Forest Service on the Cheoah River to ensure proper education and safety for all, regardless of skill level, utilizing the waterway for recreation purposes, John McVaigh, Brookfield Renewable director of operations, said in a statement. We will look closely at the results of the investigation and at all recommendations that could reduce the likelihood of tragedies such as this one in the future. Wilkins said he sees waterfalls as a bigger safety problem than whitewater rivers. In 2016 alone, there were six deaths from people falling off waterfalls or drowning in waterfall pools across Western North Carolina. In 2017, there were two waterfall deaths, and one so far this year when a 37-year-old man fell to his death from Upper Catawba Falls Feb. 24 in the Pisgah National Forest. My guess is more people die on waterfalls than rivers. They tend not to realize the danger, whereas the paddling community, they re pretty well educated and trained and wearing safety equipment, Wilkins said.

9 The Cheoah River in the Graham County area of Nantahala National Forest starts at the Santeetlah Dam and flows northwest for about 9.25 miles to Calderwood Lake. (Photo: Courtesy of Leland Davis) Most waterfall deaths occurred when people entered areas that were off limits. Emmons said people engage in many other activities in the forest that involve risk, including creek boating on other rivers during high rain events (paddlers have been known to kayak over the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls after storms), rock climbing and backpacking in the wilderness where they can encounter a multitude of dangers, from wildlife to creek crossings. We don t prohibit those activities because there is a higher level of risk, Emmons said. That s kind of how the Cheoah is. The risk is not so high that expert paddlers should be prohibited, as long as they are aware of their limitations and use the proper craft and safety equipment.

Maria Noakes, her husband, Nick Williams and their sons Matteo and Dominique. Noakes, an expert paddler, died in a kayaking accident March 3 on the Cheoah River.

10 Maria Noakes, her husband, Nick Williams and their sons Matteo and Dominique. Noakes, an expert paddler, died in a kayaking accident March 3 on the Cheoah River. (Photo: Courtesy photo) Steven Foy, general manager of Outpost Operations for the NOC, said the outfitter doesn t run guided trips on the Cheoah anymore, but does use it for guide training. He believes boaters should still have access to the river. It s a gem in the Southeast and it brings a pretty decent economic impact to the area. It s a pretty popular attraction for Graham County. It s one of the things boaters look forward to each spring is Cheoah releases, Foy said. Juliet Kastorff has operated Endless River Adventures for the past 25 years, and since 2006 has offered guided trips a year down the Cheoah. She said her guides are considered some of the best on the East Coast. Guests must have Class III-IV whitewater experience before taking a raft trip, and she said her guides have permission to end someone s trip if they feel the guest s skills are not up to snuff. But she said about 80 percent of Cheoah rafters are return customers. The Cheoah is a challenging run in the Southeast and that s why it s so outstanding. For a class IV, it is a treasure, said Kastorff, who had been friends with Noakes for 25 years.

Kastorff is devastated by the loss of her friend. But she said the accident was a fluke and it should not lead to boating restrictions on the Cheoah.

11 Kastorff is devastated by the loss of her friend. But she said the accident was a fluke and it should not lead to boating restrictions on the Cheoah. She said it should, however, be a time to take a collective pause. What the boating community needs to be reminded of is that there is inherent risk in kayaking. And even if you know a river really well, that doesn t make it easier. Rivers need to be respected, Kastorff said. One of the problems with the Cheoah is that because it s roadside boating (the river hugs N.C. 129), people tell their buddies. If you get in trouble, you can just pull over. But you don t know you re going to get in trouble until you re in trouble. People without experience have gotten on river. A kayaker paddles through the rapids under a bridge to catch up to her group on the Cheoah River. (Photo: Citizen Times) She said that was not the case with Noakes. A native of New Zealand, Noakes competed with her home country s Freestyle Kayak National Team. She also led expeditions on rivers around the world, taught kayaking at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and competed in local races including the Green River Race and Jerry s Baddle.

12 Last year she placed fourth at the U.S. Freestyle Kayak National Championships on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia, competing against women less than half her age. With her husband, Nick Williams, Noakes operated Smoky Mountain Jetboats in Bryson City. Their two young sons, ages 12 and 14, are considered expert boaters, and were on the river with Noakes March 3. Noakes was not paddling during a dam release, but on a day after heavy rains. Kastorff said she believes Noakes would have wanted people to keep paddling, including on the Cheoah. The more opportunities we can give people to enjoy being outside and to challenge themselves, without endangering them, that s living. That s not sitting on a couch, Kastorff said. Kayaking is more of a passion than a sport. People label themselves as kayaker because of the river and the passion that people have for the river. Maria embodies that community that love for each other, love for being on the river. It changes you. It defines life. When asked if he believes boating should be restricted on the Cheoah, Williams said, Hell no. None of the paddling community or Maria s friends or family would even contemplate that paddling the Cheoah should be limited. That freedom shouldn t be limited. Cheoah Facts: Where: Starts at Santeetlah Dam on N.C. 129 near Robbinsville, ends at Calderwood Lake Length: 9.25 miles Difficulty: Class IV Name meaning: "Otter" in Cherokee Hollywood connection: A scene from The Fugitive was filmed at the Calderwood Lake. Brookfield Renewable Cheoah River high flow releases for 2018: Feb. 24, 25; March 24, 25, 26; April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22; May 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; Aug. 4; Oct. 6; Nov. 3.

13 Information: Call the Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger District office of the U.S. Forest Service at Deaths on some WNC rivers: Catawba Two in 1998 Cheoah River Three since 2007 French Broad River Six since 1996 Nantahala River Six since 1984 Green One in 2000, one in 2004 Pigeon, Big East Fork One in 2013 Tuckasegee One in 1989, one in 2010 Rocky Broad One in 2007 Source: American Whitewater Top stories

Accident Report Entrapment Resulting in 1 Fatality Kayak 19 August 2007 Class A

Accident Report Entrapment Resulting in 1 Fatality Kayak 19 August 2007 Class A Photograph 1 Kayak FINAL REPORT - Maritime New Zealand Investigation Report 2 1. SUMMARY 1.1 A party of four kayakers were