Nantahala River Recovers from Landslide

On Aug. 24, a violent storm in Swain County, N.C., triggered landslides that affected eight miles of the Nantahala River. The U.S. Forest Service closed the area to recreational use as contractors repaired the damage. After 7,600 tons of soil and rock and 150 loads of woody debris were removed, the river was declared safe and reopened on Sept. 4. The Forest Service stated that paddlers should use caution as the landslide changed the river in some places. — By Rachael Kelley