Osprey Whitewater: Leading the Charge in Nolichucky River Restoration
- Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
When the waters receded after historic flooding on the Nolichucky River, what remained was more than just sediment and scars—it was a deep need for recovery. Roads were washed out, homes and businesses were damaged, and our cherished river access points were buried under mountains of debris. In the months that followed, the team at Osprey Whitewater rose to the occasion with boots on the ground, hands on the ropes, and a relentless commitment to restoration.
💪 Rebuilding the River, One Cleanup at a Time
Since early May, the Osprey team has led several full-scale clean-up operations across the Lower Nolichucky, Watauga, and Embreeville regions. Working under NORA’s River Resilience Initiative and in partnership with MountainTrue, East Tennessee Foundation, and Keeping the Valley Beautiful, Osprey has been at the forefront of some of the toughest and most remote clean-up missions to date.
Their work has spanned access points, swiftwater zones, and remote flood-impacted sites—often requiring boats, winches, hand tools, trailers, and, occasionally, sheer grit. They’ve removed not only common debris like household waste and tires, but also:
A large inflatable hot tub lodged in a rapid
Abandoned outbuildings swept away in the flood
Oil containers, fuel cans, and other hazardous materials
Children’s toys, furniture, metal roofing, and even a walker caught in the trees
👷♂️ Putting People Back to Work
Through these efforts, Osprey Whitewater has put several experienced river guides and laborers back to work, many of whom lost income when the flooding closed sections of the river to recreation and tourism. By contracting guides for cleanup labor, NORA is not only restoring access—but revitalizing livelihoods.
The team has logged more than 150 paid labor hours, representing a crucial source of income for local outdoor professionals while delivering a major environmental service.
🗑️ The Impact: Over 12,000 Pounds of Debris Removed
Across their missions, Osprey’s crews have removed well over 12,000 pounds of debris—tires, construction waste, household appliances, and more. Their work has made riverbanks safer, access points functional again, and critical habitat healthier for future use.
🔗 How You Can Help
As the clean-up expands to new sites, the need for fuel, dump fees, gear, and contractor wages continues to grow. You can be part of this incredible recovery story by supporting our fundraiser.
Here’s what your donation makes possible:
$25 = Gloves and heavy-duty trash bags for day's work
$75 = Fuel for boats and trailers
$100 = Pays a river guide for a half-day of cleanup
$250 = Offsets a dump fee or equipment repair
$1500+ = Sponsors a full-day river cleanup mission
🧾 Larger, tax-deductible gifts can also be sent by check to:
MountainTrue 29 N. Market Street | Suite 610 | Asheville, NC 28801
(Please write "NORA" in the memo line to earmark your donation)
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