Nantahala Outdoor Center hosts first-ever Watershed Week
NOC river outposts will conduct river clean-ups or other projects, culminating in a festival on the French
Broad River.
NOC raft guides and staff will begin the week with river clean-ups on the Nantahala River on April 28 and
the Nolichucky River on April 29. A river clean-up typically involves a floatilla of rafts and kayaks traveling
downstream, stopping along the way to remove items of trash from the water and from the riverbanks.
Staff at NOC’s Chattooga River outpost in Mountain Rest, SC will work to improve area mountain bike trails
throughout the week.
The Headwaters Institute will host an interpretive presentation on Thursday, April 30 at NOC’s French
Broad River outpost in Hot Springs, NC. Open to anyone, this presentation features facilitators from various
professional disciplines sharing information about the French Broad River’s natural history, flora and fauna
and ecology.
Friday marks the start of the 2009 French Broad Festival-a weekend of music, food, outdoor races and
fun. National advocacy group American Whitewater is partnering with Riverlink and NOC to lead a river
clean-up on Section IX of the French Broad River, Friday morning. A small reception will be held at NOC’s
Hot Springs outpost after the clean-up.
The French Broad River clean-up is open to the public, and both rafters and paddlers are needed. Boaters
should be comfortable paddling Class III-IV whitewater. Volunteers must be at least eight years of age to
raft the French Broad River and signed waivers will be required for all participants. Anyone under 18 years
of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. NOC will provide a free shuttle and lunch for
volunteers.
Anyone interested in participating in the cleanup should contact American Whitewater at (866) 262-8429
prior to April 24, 2009 so that lunch and shuttle arrangements can be prepared.
Tags: american whitewater, Bryson City, chattooga river, Nantahala Outdoor Center, nantahala river, nolichucky river
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