The Five Falls of the Chatooga, are located along the Georgia/South Carolina border. It maintains a formidable reputation despite huge advances in whitewater boating over the past twenty years. On January 11, 1998 the river was running at 2.6 feet, a rather high, pushy level. The victim, Tim McLure, was an experienced kayaker who had made many runs on Section IV. He was boating with a strong group of friends who also knew the river well.

McLure became caught in a very steep entry hole in the lower part of Jawbone Rapid and exited his boat after three roll attempts. He washed into the Puppy Chute, a high water sneak route through Sock-em-dog. Here he was pushed under the left side of Allison's Rock, a bad undercut that claimed the life of a rafter a few years ago. The runout of this undercut is very narrow and Tim apparently broached on his paddle there and became pinned. One person in his group jumped on the rock and was able to grab his hand. His group was equipped and trained for rescue and reportedly broke two z-drags in their efforts to extricate him.

By Wednesday, January 14th the level had dropped to 2.2 feet. A team of paddlers and rescue squad members recovered Tim’s body and rafted him across Lake Togaloo to the takeout.

SOURCE Tom Wiedeman, Scott Bristow, Greg Hunt and others posting to rec.boats.paddle

ANALYSIS: (Walbridge) The Five Falls are a bad place to swim at any level, and even worse at high water. Anyone who fails to roll above Sock ‘em Dog at any level is in grave danger of being swept into an undercut rock. It is unclear whether a pre-positioned throw line might have helped.