2023 RIVER SNORKELING SEASON
Begins May 19
Important: Snorkeling gear is provided for each member of your group. This includes wetsuit, hood, vest, gloves, mask and snorkel. Please bring warm socks. We will also be offering used (pre-Covid-19) and new snorkels for $25-$50 for those who are hesitant about using snorkels in our rental program. New and used masks will be available for purchase as well.
All snorkeling tours are at the mercy of Mother Nature. High water velocity and poor visibility, both due to heavy rain events, may create conditions unfavorable for river snorkeling. In the event your group is unable to snorkel your preference stream, your guide will make the call to move your snorkeling tour to another awesome mountain river. If there are no rivers that display favorable conditions for snorkeling, you will be given the option to reschedule, or to cancel the tour with a full refund.
The following snorkeling equipment will be provided at no additional cost
(wetsuit, mask, neoprene gloves)
The following snorkeling equipment will be provided at no additional cost
(wetsuit, mask, neoprene gloves)
Private Tours Available by Phone
270-339-0519
|
|
|
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a special time, biologically and aesthetically speaking. With the days getting shorter and the beautiful colors becoming more vibrant, one of our most ancient aquatic animals prepares to reproduce. This is a very exciting time for observing territorial behaviors of the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus allaganiensis). Males will fight vigorously over the best breeding rocks. Like alligators they bite down on one another, rolling around on the river bottom, until one gives up and declares the other "Den Master".
|
FALL HELLBENDER
|
Canoe & River Snorkel Adventure |
Drift away from the mainstream with a fun filled day of canoeing and river snorkeling! These trips are customized for those who wish to see more of our freshwater wildlife in a single day. Participants will canoe to various sections of river where they will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the diverse array of freshwater animal communities and habitat structures. Join us as we search the upper French Broad River for the ancient eastern hellbender salamander, then jump into a canoe for a journey downstream to watch our native freshwater mussels as they filter and help to clean our freshwater. For more information, or to book a trip, Call 270-339-0519.
|
|
Upper French Broad River Watershed
The upper French Broad River (FBR) and several tributaries located within the Pisgah National Forest are the primary focus for our snorkeling excursions.The French Broad begins its northern journey at the confluence of the north and west forks located in Rosman, North Carolina. The headwaters of the north and west forks are all located within Pisgah National Forest (PNF). There are over 45 fish species that inhabit the upper FBR watershed just in Transylvania County alone, along with numerous other aquatic life forms, including the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus allageniensis) and the federally threatened Appalachian Elktoe Mussel (Alasmidonta raveneliana). The upper French Broad River is classified as a Class I section with the exception of one lower Class II approximately a quarter mile downstream from the confluence.
A Class I section described by the American Whitewater Association (AWA) as fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. The AWA further defines Class II as, “Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
A Class I section described by the American Whitewater Association (AWA) as fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. The AWA further defines Class II as, “Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.