Big Panther Creek
Old Highway 441 to dirt road beside Panther Creek off Yonah Lake Road
Class 3-5 • 5.3 River Miles
Average Gradient 141 fpm • Maximum Gradient 250 fpm
This one is hard to catch, and does fall quickly. The Chattooga needs to be well over 3 feet entering the put in parking lot. If the level is about 8” below this pipe the level should be considered at a minimum and around 4” inches below is a great run.
Caution: At high water the upper stretch has a good bit of wood. The gauge for this river is a small white pipe directly upstream of the small bridge
Put in: The put in is at the parking on Old Highway 441.
Take out: From Toccoa, take Panther Bridge Road , then take Yonah Dam Road until a dirt road heads up the creek, when you see a white sign that says Church, turn on the dirt road. This road will lead you to the take out of this river.
Chattooga River
Section 2
Highway 28 Put in to Earl’s Ford
Class 2 • 7 Miles
Minimum Suggested Level: 1 Feet (bare minimum) • Maximum Suggested Level: 5 Feet
The Gauge for this river is located at Highway 76, miles downstream
The Chattooga River is relatively calm for about 7 miles. Shelf-like rapids and only one Class 3 rapid (Big Shoals) make this portion of the river an excellent area for novice whitewater boaters.
The major put-in point: State Highway 28 where a 30-yard portage is required. Most boaters take out at Earl's Ford and carry their equipment 1/4-mile ( 420 meters) to reach vehicles. Average floating times for Section II are based on the gauge on the west end of the State Highway 28 Bridge
Section 3
Earl’s Ford to Route 76 Bridge
Class 2-4(5) • 13 miles
Minimum Suggested Level: 1.2 ft (bare minimum)
Maximum Suggested Level: 3 ft (Experienced paddles can go at higher levels with caution.)
At Earl's Ford, the River again gathers momentum as it plunges over ledges, around boulders, and through steep gorges. This section requires expertise. Scouting of rapids is necessary. Numerous fatalities have occurred along this segment of the River. To enter this 14-mile section at Earl's Ford requires a 1/4-mile walk in.
A good test of boating ability is at Warwoman Rapid (the second rapid), located about 1/4-mile (400 meters) below Earl's Ford. This rapid requires an S-shaped maneuver near the left bank. If you have problems here, turn back, as much more difficult rapids lie ahead.
At the Narrows, vertical rock walls constrict the River to a dangerous 15-foot wide channel which is nearly impossible to portage. Bull Sluice, a Class 5 rapid, is encountered in a blind curve about 400 yards (370 meters) before the U. S. 76 Bridge. Scouting Bull Sluice is mandatory; portaging is recommended for all but expert boaters. Persons familiar with the River can recognize it by the large exposed rock dome on the Georgia side.
Average floating times for Section III are:
U. S. Hwy. 76 Bridge Gauge
Raft 8 hours
Canoe 7 hours
Kayak 6 hours
Earl's Ford Gauge
Raft 8 hours
Canoe 7 hours
Kayak 6 hours
At Earl's Ford, the River again gathers momentum as it plunges over ledges, around boulders, and through steep gorges. This section requires expertise. Scouting of rapids is necessary. Numerous fatalities have occurred along this segment of the River. To enter this 14-mile section at Earl's Ford requires a 1/4-mile walk in.
A good test of boating ability is at Warwoman Rapid (the second rapid), located about 1/4-mile (400 meters) below Earl's Ford. This rapid requires an S-shaped maneuver near the left bank. If you have problems here, turn back, as much more difficult rapids lie ahead.
At the Narrows, vertical rock walls constrict the River to a dangerous 15-foot wide channel which is nearly impossible to portage. Bull Sluice, a Class 5 rapid, is encountered in a blind curve about 400 yards (370 meters) before the U. S. 76 Bridge. Scouting Bull Sluice is mandatory; portaging is recommended for all but expert boaters. Persons familiar with the River can recognize it by the large exposed rock dome on the Georgia side.
Average floating times for Section III are:
U. S. Hwy. 76 Bridge Gauge
Raft 8 hours
Canoe 7 hours
Kayak 6 hours
Earl's Ford Gauge
Raft 8 hours
Canoe 7 hours
Kayak 6 hours
Rapids
Warwoman Rapid • Class 2+
River Mile 0.3
First Island Rapid • Class 2
River Mile 1.2
Rock Garden • Class 2+
River Mile 1.6
Dick Creek Ledge • Class 3+
River Mile 2.5
Sandy Ford Rapid • Class 3
River Mile 3.0
The Narrows • Class 3+
River Mile 3.5
Second Ledge • Class 3
River Mile 4.0
Eye of the Needle • Class 3
River Mile 5.4+
Fall Creek
River Mile 8.0
Rollercoaster • Class 3
River Mile 9.0
Painted Rock • Class 3+
River Mile 9.2
Thrifts Ferry • Class 2+
River Mile 11.0
Bull Sluice • Class 4
River Mile 12.2
Section 4
Route 76 Bridge to Tugaloo Lake Boat Ramp
Class 2-4+ (5) • 5.2 miles
Average Gradient 60 fpm • Maximum Gradient 117 fpm
Minimum Suggested Level: 0.9 feet
Maximum Suggested Level: 2.2 feet (Experienced paddles can go at higher levels with caution, especially Five Falls.)
Caution: Crack in the Rock Rapid has many undercut boulders. If something is to happen get rid of your gear and get to the right bank as quickly as possible.
Put in: The put in for this river is where US 76 crosses the river about 8 miles east of Clayton Georgia near Long Creek South Carolina on the Georgia – South Carolina State Line. There is parking on both sides of the river. The Georgia side has enough room for 5 cars and has a $2.00 fee. A short walk to the put in, however you will miss Bull Sluice Rapid. On the South Carolina side you will find a much larger USFS parking lot with no current parking fee. Walk along the paved path about 250 yards to the beach below Bull Sluice or take the trail to the right and put in above Bull Sluice.
Take Out: From the Put in go East (Left) 2.5 miles and turn Right on Orchard Road. Follow Orchard Road until it dead ends on Battle Creek Road. Turn Right, when you come to a sharp right turn in the road, stay on the paved road (you will now be on Damascus Church Road). Bear to the Right onto Bull Sluice Road (you will see a sign for Tugaloo Boat Ramp). The take out will be at the end of this road at the boat ramp.
Rapids
Bull Sluice • Class 4+
River Mile 0.0
Surf Rapid • Class 3
River Mile 0.2
Screaming Left Turn • Class 3
River Mile 0.3
Rock Jumble • Class 3
River Mile 0.9
Woodall Shoals
River Mile 2.0
The Play Spot Above 7 Foot • Class 3+
River Mile 2.2
7 Foot Falls • Class 4
River Mile 2.2
Beaver Skull • Class 2+
River Mile 2.8
Stekoa Creek Rapid • Class 3+
River Mile 3.0
Long Creek Falls Rapid and Playspot • Class 3
River Mile 3.5
Deliverance Rock • Class 3+
River Mile 3.6
Turtle Head Rock • Class 2+
River Mile 3.8
Ravens Chute • Class 3+
River Mile 4.0
Tunnel of Love • Class 2+
River Mile 4.1
The Rapid after Ravens Chute • Class 3
River Mile 4.2
Little Woodall • Class 3+
River Mile 4.5
Camp Creek
River Mile 5.0
Five Falls
(Entrance, Corkscrew, Crack in the Rock, Jawbone, and Sock-em-Dog)
Entrance • Class 4
River Mile 5.1
Corkscrew • Class 4+
River Mile 5.1
Crack in the Rock • Class 4
River Mile 5.1
Jawbone • Class 4+
River Mile 5.1
Sock-em-Dog • Class 4+
River Mile 5.1
Shoulderbone • Class 4
River Mile 5.2
Quaalude • Class 3
River Mile 5.6
Lake Tugaloo
River Mile 6.0
Tallulah River
Section 3
Coleman River Junction to Lake Burton
Upper Tallulah
Class 2-3+ • 7.8 Miles
Minimum Suggested Level: 350 cfs
Section 4
Highway 441 to Tallulah Falls Lake (Mathis By-Pass)
Middle Tallulah • Class 2-3
It takes a lot of rain to get this one running.
Private property, Private RV Park.
Section 5
Tallulah Gorge to Lake Tugaloo (Tallulah Gorge)
Class 4-5 • 2.5 Miles
Minimum Suggested Level: 450 cfs • Maximum Suggested Level: 1200 cfs
On Release days flows are typicality 500 cfs on Saturday and 700 cfs on Sunday
Put in: From Atlanta: take I-985 north and head for 365 north and Highway 23 and Highway 441. Tallulah Falls is 12 miles north of Clarkesville on Highway 23-441. Just before the bridge across the river, take a left onto the grass. There is about 600 steps to put in. After Whitewater there is 1.5 miles of flat water. And has a hike back up to the parking lot.
Rapids
Put in • Class 5
River Mile 0.0
Last Step aka The Entrance Rapid • Class 4+
River Mile 0.0
Tanners Launch aka The Boof • Class 4
River Mile 0.0
Oceania • Class 5
River Mile 0.0
Playspot below Oceania • Class 3
River Mile 0.0
Gauntlet aka The Approach to Bridal Veil • Class 4+
River Mile 0.1
Second part of the Gauntlet • Class 4+
River Mile 0.1
Final Approach • Class 3+
River Mile 0.4
Bridal Veil • Class 5
River Mile 0.5
Zoom Floom aka The Grove aka The Channel • Class 3+
River Mile 0.5
Lynch’s Wrench • Class 4
River Mile 0.5
Amphitheater • Class 4
River Mile 0.6
Around the Corner • Class 3+
River Mile 0.6
Tit • Class 3+
River Mile 0.6
Tat • Class 4
River Mile 0.7
Tom’s Brain Buster • Class 4+
River Mile 0.7
The Road to Aintry aka The Big Slide • Class 4
River Mile 0.7
Twisted Sister • Class 3+
River Mile 0.7
Paddle Snake Ledge • Class 4
River Mile 0.8
Powerhouse • Class 3+
River Mile 0.9
Maxwell’s Last Drop • Class 3+
River Mile 1.0
Permits are required to run any section of this river.
Registration forms are currently free and available at the put in of the Chattooga on the South Carolina side of the river.
Warwoman Creek
Earl’s Ford Road to Chattooga River
Class 2-3 • 7.2 miles
Average Gradient 23 fpm • Maximum Gradient 40 fpm
Minimum Suggested Level 1.8 ft • Maximum Suggested Level 5 ft
The Chattooga should be at least 2.5 to 3.0 feet.
Put In: Go North on US 23. Turn Right onto Warwoman Road right after the US 76 West traffic light. Proceed 8.3 miles to a Left onto Earl’s Ford Road. The Put in is right after the first bridge.
Take out: From Put in turn left on Warwoman for 2.3 miles to a Left on Sandy Ford Road stay to the left this road will run besides Dicks Creek. Parking will be at the end of this road. Beware when the Chattooga is running at high water the parking lot holds water
Rapids
Intro • Class 2
River Mile 0.8
Mattress • Class 2+
River Mile 1.3
Pinball • Class 2+
River Mile 1.8
Warwoman Ford • 2.8
River Mile
Finale • Class 2
River Mile 3.1
Earl’s Ford • 4.2
River Mile
Dick’s Creek Ledge • Class 3
River Mile 6.7
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