NANTAHALA, N.C. (AP) - Landslides have closed a popular kayaking and rafting destination in North Carolina for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
News outlets report the U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday evening closed an 8-mile (13-kilometer) stretch of the Nantahala River within the Nantahala Gorge.
Nantahala Outdoor Center Marketing Vice President Jan Wojtasinski says the outfitter could lose as much as $300,000 in business this weekend due to the closure. He says visitors can still participate in other activities like zip-lining and mountain biking.
The Forest Service says the landslides have caused debris blockages and diverted water which can result in bank erosion and put roads and bridges at risk.
It’s unclear when the stretch of river will reopen. The closure order is effective for two years, but could be rescinded sooner.
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