“The river is a dangerous place to be right now,” said David Perez, Acting Nantahala District Ranger. “Please refrain from visiting the area. We are working as quickly and safely as we can to get the river back open.” 

The U.S. Forest Service finished assessing the landslide locations Tuesday, Aug. 27, and found multiple locations with hazardous debris in the river. There were places in the river where debris — consisting of woody debris dangerous to recreationists — has created a 90 percent blockage, and the water had created diversions around the blockages. These diversions could result in erosion of the embankments, which could compromise the infrastructure of nearby roads and bridges. 

The Forest Service is working to clear the debris and blockages to restore water flow. By Sunday, Sept. 1, the majority of the debris had been removed following the collection of about 350 dump truck loads of soil and 150 of woody debris. An Aug. 31 Duke Energy water release from Nantahala Lake did not create any large debris jams or new landslides, a positive sign. 

However, as of press time evaluations of potential river hazards were continuing, and the ongoing potential for dangerous situations in the water meant the continued closure of public access on Forest Service land in the Nantahala Gorge. 

A severe deluge dropped 3.5 inches of rain in the Nantahala Gorge in Swain County Aug. 24 and triggered slides that covered the road in four locations within a half-mile stretch on the western side of the gorge and spread debris from the mountainside into the river at three locations. The road through the Gorge, U.S. 19, was closed through the evening of Aug. 26. 

National Forests in North Carolina will post updates and photos at www.facebook.com/nfsnc and twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.