Chattooga,

Go big or go home

Go big or go home
Photo of Shayne Day by Brian Jacobson В© 2007 taken 6 January 2007 @ 1.5 (Burls)

Gauge Information

River Description

Conservation-oriented kayakers and canoeists sought protection in federal court from an illegal decision by the United States Forest Service involving the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. The USFS decision, which was the culmination of a 2004 administrative appeal by American Whitewater, makes it a federal crime for paddlers to float the northernmost 21 miles of the River and its tributaries except on a limited seven-mile section during 6 or less days per year.

These severe restrictions are the only of their kind in the entire Unites States, and are intended to benefit anglers who pursue heavily stocked non-native trout. The artificial fishery created by the USFS-sanctioned stocking has significant impacts including hatchery pollution, backcountry helicopter disturbances, near elimination of native brook trout, user created angling trails, and the elimination of nature based paddling from the upper Chattooga River. Ironically, the USFS decision actually harms anglers across the Country by creating potential competition for wild rivers that are currently shared by all forms of backcountry recreationists, and by degrading the rights of anglers to fish from a boat.

After a considerable delay of over 2 years, US Forest Service officials announced a final decision on managing recreation uses on the upper Chattooga River and released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA). A briefing paper and news release were also made available. While the new management plan falls short of our requests for Headwaters access, it does open the door to a small amount of legal boating on a small section of the upper river starting in December 2009, flow levels permitting. The decision also places some limited restrictions on other river users regarding group size and camping locations.

During a press briefing, the acting Sumter Forest Supervisor, Monica Schwalbach, stated that the US Forest Service has determined that boating on the upper Chattooga -- even in unlimited numbers -- "would have no impact on the resource." American Whitewater staff and volunteers are reviewing documents released today and will be posting additional information over the next few weeks.

AW has been working for a decade to bring responsible, nationally consistent river management to the Chattooga, and this work continues today.

For more information about American Whitewater's efforts to remove this boating ban go to:

The Chattooga Project page

This page was put together from information gained during the Forest Service Boater Trials as shown in this video and Trip Report.

The five mile long Ellicott Rock reach starts with a Class V drop at Bull Pen Bridge that defines the end of the Chattooga Cliffs reach and the beginning of the Ellicott Rock reach. The two or so miles immediately below Bull Pen Bridge to Ellicott Rock are read-and-run, Class IV, with a series of ledge drops and boulder-filled rapids. Approximately 2 miles into the run is Super Corkscrew, the only other Class V rapid on the run. The rapid is a long series of off-set ledge drops with increasingly powerful hydraulics and a shallow, short run out. The rapids below Super Corkscrew extending down to Ellicott Rock are similar to those above Super Corkscrew; the rapids are a combination of Class III-IV ledges and boulder fields. The run requires about 2 hours assuming you move quickly through the last three miles of Class II shoals above Burrell's Ford. (adapted from FS Expert Panel Report)

This section does not have the unique scenery found on the Chattooga Cliffs or Rock Gorge reaches in that the views are limited due to the narrowness of the riverbed, however the whitewater is exceptional for the first two miles. It is noteworthy in that it passes through Ellicott Wilderness and has few trails paralleling the river allowing boaters to enjoy the run with little chance of encounters until you reach the Ellicotts Rock trail.

Shuttle Directions

Start at Burrell's Ford bridge. Return on Burrell's Ford Road 2.6 miles to Hwy 107, turn left and go north 6.1 miles and turn left on Bull Pen Road (County Road S-1102), follow Bull Pen Road 5.1 miles to Bull Pen Bridge. Burrell's Ford Road is approximately 10 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 107 and Hwy 28 in Mountain Rest, SC

Emergency Locations

Reach Profile

Related Reaches
Chattooga Cliffs (AKA Section 00)

Ellicott Rock (AKA Section 0)

Rock Gorge (AKA Section 1)

Woody Debris

This section of the Chattooga has special concerns about large woody debris for fish habitat. Please respect the environment and leave wood as you find it, even if it adds a portage. The Chattooga has a remarkable ability to clean itself and the rapid may be ready next time.

For more information about woody debris in rivers go to Large Woody Debris and Stream Ecology