By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
HARTFORD (WATE) - Recent rain has been welcome news for East Tennessee business owners who count on it. That includes whitewater rafting and tubing companies.
Rafting in the Smokies co-owner Brenda Shultz says the water has been great for those wanting to get on the Pigeon River, and that's good for her Hartford business.
"It has exceeded our expectations," she said.
Shultz says the recent heat wave was not a huge concern.
"We are very blessed here," she said. "We have a dam-controlled stream, so we receive our water from Walter Lake in North Carolina."
Despite having the comfort of the dam, Shultz says, raft guides still keep a close eye on when the weather gets too dry.
Several years ago a drought caused the Pigeon River to drop extremely low.
Tubing companies have not been so lucky. Most of them are on rivers that do not have constant water releases.
The owner of River Romp in Sevierville says low water on the Little Pigeon River earlier this summer caused problems for her business.
"There was a time we actually closed for about six days," said Diane Renfroe. "The rocks were white. It was just that low."
Renfroe says recent rains have brought up the water level.
She is still unsure if the business will be able to make up those lost days.
"It's going to be tough because part of those six days was the 4th of July weekend," said Renfroe. "The weekend before the 4th and the 4th is the weekend to survive the whole summer."
Renfroe says she lost thousands of dollars due to low water levels.
Both owners say they hope Mother Nature will continue to allow much-needed rain so they both can stay afloat.
Water levels on the Pigeon River are effected less by rain totals because the river is dam-controlled.
