What water level is good for paddling Nolichucky River — Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower)?

This section is generally runnable at 1–4 ft (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Nolichucky River levels?

We read USGS gauge 03465500 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Nolichucky River — Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower) good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Nolichucky River here?

Typically April–September, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

Nolichucky River — Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class IINolichucky RiverTennessee

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:30 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

1.4 ft

USGS gauge 03465500

Runnable 1 – 4 ft

0144.6

What this means today

At 1.4 ft the Nolichucky River is inside the runnable range but only 0.4 ft above the 1 ft floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 1.4 ft to 1.4 ft.

Paddling Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower)

Nolichucky River at Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower) is a Class II run in Tennessee — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Embreeville (Hwy 81) access and take out at Chuckey / Davy Crockett Lake headwaters access.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 1–4 ft (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Nolichucky River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 03465500 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable April–September. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

7-day flow trend is unavailable for this gauge right now.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class II
Length: —
Float time: —
Best months: April–September
Put-in: Embreeville (Hwy 81) access
Take-out: Chuckey / Davy Crockett Lake headwaters access

Reading USGS gauge 03465500 — NOLICHUCKY RIVER AT EMBREEVILLE, TN ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Nolichucky River — Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower)?: This section is generally runnable at 1–4 ft (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Nolichucky River levels?: We read USGS gauge 03465500 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Nolichucky River — Embreeville to Davy Crockett (lower) good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Nolichucky River here?: Typically April–September, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

Nearby sections

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