The Green River Narrows near Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most iconic pieces of whitewater in the Southeastern United States. For decades, whitewater kayakers from around the world have tested their mettle on the Class V staple (I’ve run it twice myself). And each November, the Green Race created one of the most high-profile events in the relatively small sport of whitewater kayaking. Because of its broad flow range, the river could be run nearly year around.
But things have sadly, and drastically, changed. In September, Hurricane Helene made landfall and brought torrential rains to the mountains of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The city of Asheville, and Western North Carolina, was devastated by the flooding. There were more than 100 deaths recorded in the state due to the disaster alone, and nearly 250 in the Southeast. It’s easily the most significant weather event to happen in the area in the modern era.
Aside from the tragic human experience, nature wreaked havoc on the Green River, as record levels of water flooded the corridor. And the riverbed was completely altered. Gorilla, the most famous rapid on the river that once featured a complex entry move into a cascading waterfall, landing on smooth bedrock, was run for years by skilled boaters. It’s barely recognizable. It now slides into a tight notch and whether or not it’s runnable is up for debate (someone will eventually give it a go, I’d imagine). But the classic look and feel of the rapid is no longer.
The Green in all its glory, pre flood. Photo: The Green Race
“Pretty much everything about this river has changed,” reads a description of a drone video on the YouTube channel Paddle In Pink. “Seeing it in person is a true gut punch. However, the rocks are as if someone went in with bleach and cleaned all of them, which is a beautiful thing. While we all mourn the loss of what was for many kayakers a favorite and sacred gorge, we must embrace the new and expect things in here to change for years to come while rocks and sediment shift to become stable.”
That drone footage really gives a good look at Gorilla, as seen in the photo above in all its Green Race glory. Below, is a post from Landon Miller on YouTube, who ran the river after the flood. He did a solid job of highlighting all the changes as well.
Mother Nature gives, and takes. In this case, she changed one of the most iconic whitewater runs in the world forever.
