Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 2 routes on Pigeon River

Tennessee | East Tennessee

Pigeon RiverHartford Bridge to Denton

Lower Pigeon whitewater day from Hartford Bridge toward Denton. American Whitewater documents the 4.8-mile Class II(III) route, a direct Waterville USGS gauge, and a tighter 1,200-2,500 cfs runnable range; the Forest Service confirms the lower Pigeon section below Hartford.

Route location

Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 4.8 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 1.5 hr to 3 hr depending on release timing
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Pigeon River runs through Hartford, Tennessee, with forested banks and whitewater current below the road.
Route photoPigeon River at HartfordPhoto by Brian Stansberry via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
Pulling the latest gauge and weather. This usually takes a few seconds.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 4.8 miHartford Bridge to Denton
DifficultymoderateAmerican Whitewater rates the lower Pigeon as Class II(III). It is easier than the upper gorge but still has ledges, holes, fast current, commercial traffic, and the Maytag rapid, where lines and bridge supports matter at higher water.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the lower take-out near Greasy Cove / Denton, then drive back to the Hartford Bridge put-in. American Whitewater notes the put-in is river right just upstream of Hartford Bridge and says release water may take about 1 to 1.5 hours to arrive from the Waterville powerhouse.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific private paddling permit is known. Use public access areas, get permission before using outfitter property, follow Tennessee boating rules, and carry appropriate whitewater safety gear.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a short day run. Do not camp or leave vehicles on outfitter, private, or roadside property unless it is clearly permitted.
SeasonJan-DecThe lower Pigeon depends on upstream release timing. American Whitewater trip notes say to allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for release water to arrive from the Waterville powerhouse; verify current release schedules, gauge trend, and access conditions before launching.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Launch at Hartford Bridge and take out near Denton / Greasy Cove for the lower Pigeon. Use the Waterville USGS gauge and current release schedule, with extra caution around ledges and Maytag at higher water.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Hartford Bridge put-in
Open mapDirections to put-in

American Whitewater says to make sure you have permission before parking at an outfitter and, at the take-out, to park near the bridge.

Finish

Take-out

Denton / Greasy Cove lower take-out
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Hartford Bridge access is also the upper-run take-out and can be busy during release windows. Keep staging compact and leave room for commercial traffic and emergency vehicles.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • American Whitewater says to make sure you have permission before parking at an outfitter and, at the take-out, to park near the bridge.
  • The Hartford Bridge access is also the upper-run take-out and can be busy during release windows. Keep staging compact and leave room for commercial traffic and emergency vehicles.
  • The lower take-out is on river right a few hundred feet after the Greasy Cove bridge. Identify it before launching so the group does not miss the exit.
  • Release water takes time to reach Hartford. Do not launch on a dry-looking river without confirming the schedule and expected arrival window.

Watch for

  • Class I-II ledge drops, Class II+ ledges, fast shoals, holes, rocks, and Maytag at Class II(III).
  • Higher-water holes around the ledges and Maytag, especially above about 2,000 cfs where American Whitewater notes stronger features.
  • Bridge supports, commercial rafts, swimmers, mixed-skill private groups, and broad channels where rescue can be harder than the grade suggests.
  • Dam-release timing mismatches, sudden generation changes, storms, and any access restriction or river-control instruction.
  • Low water below American Whitewater's runnable range, which can expose ledges and make the route scrape, pin, or strand boats.

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Pigeon River runs through Hartford, Tennessee, with forested banks and whitewater current below the road.
Pigeon River at HartfordPhoto by Brian Stansberry via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 3.0

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
Checking live inputs.

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge inputChecking

Waiting on the gauge read.

Weather inputChecking

Waiting on weather.

Next stepChecking

Waiting on enough data to give the next step.

Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge sitePigeon River below Power Plant near Waterville, NC
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range1,200 cfs to 2,500 cfs
Low threshold1,200 cfs
High threshold2,500 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater Lower Pigeon runnable range
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Exact whitewater routeHartford Bridge to Denton, 4.8 mi

    American Whitewater lists the lower Pigeon as Bridge at Hartford to Denton, 4.8 miles, Class II(III), using the Pigeon River below Power Plant near Waterville gauge.

    Source

  • Manager route contextLower Pigeon below Hartford

    The Forest Service describes the lower Pigeon as starting in Hartford and running almost five miles through Class II and III rapids to the lower take-out before Denton.

    Source

  • AW runnable range1,200-2,500 cfs

    American Whitewater exposes the USGS 03460795 gauge correlation for this reach with begin-low-runnable 1,200 cfs and end-high-runnable 2,500 cfs.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · June 1, 2026USGS 03460795 at 1,450 cfs / 9.04 ft

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

  • Access and timingHartford bridge put-in, Greasy Cove / lower public take-out

    American Whitewater describes putting in on river right just upstream of Hartford Bridge, taking out on river right a few hundred feet after the Greasy Cove bridge, and allowing 1 to 1.5 hours for release water to arrive from the Waterville powerhouse.

    Source

  • Coordinate anchors35.8177, -83.1450 to 35.8443, -83.1865

    American Whitewater route geometry anchors the Hartford Bridge put-in and Denton / Greasy Cove lower take-out corridor.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Tennessee

All 4 routes
Tennessee route guideBrowse every tracked Tennessee route.East TennesseeJump to routes in this region.

More on Pigeon River

All 2
Waterville / Big Creek Bridge to Hartford BridgeEast TennesseeHard · About 4.3 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Tuckasegee RiverDillsboro Access to Barker’s Creek Access · about 32 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 5 river milesFrench Broad RiverBlantyre Access to Horse Shoe Boating Access Area · about 46 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 6.5 river milesFrench Broad RiverLazy Otter River Access to Westfeldt Park · about 46 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 7.5 river milesFrench Broad RiverPisgah Forest River Access to Penrose Boating Access Area · about 46 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 5.5 river miles

Quick answers

Pigeon River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Hartford Bridge to Denton route on the Pigeon River?

Paddle Today watches Pigeon River below Power Plant near Waterville, NC and treats 1,200 cfs to 2,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Hartford Bridge to Denton route on the Pigeon River start and end?

This route starts at Hartford Bridge put-in and ends at Denton / Greasy Cove lower take-out, about 4.8 mi on the water.

Is the Hartford Bridge to Denton route on the Pigeon River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update