Chattooga, |
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| Name | Range | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA | 1.20 - 3.00 ft | 01h27m | 1.98 ft (rc= 0.4 ) |
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Gauge info:
The online gauge reads differently than the paddler's gauge on the US 76 Bridge. Most local
paddlers refer to the bridge gauge.
The online gauge reads about .15 higher than the bridge gauge at 2 feet, about .25 higher below
two feet and the same at about 2.8 feet.
Many long stretches of Section 3 are wide and shallow at low water and this can make for a long
day on the river. At levels below 1.8 or so on the bridge is it scrapy. At levels of about 1.2 on
the internet guage it can be intolerable. See alternative river itineraries below.
This section can certainly be run above 3', by experienced paddlers familar with Section 3. Pay
particular attention to areas like Sandy Ford at high water.
River Info:
See also Section
4.
Note: as of 3/30/2001 the logjam to the right at Sandy Ford island is now open
and passable. Some logs remain, use caution.
Shuttle Directions: From the US Highway 76 access proceed east on US 76 into
South Carolina for about 2 miles to the first paved road on the left. This will be Chattooga
Ridge Road (you will see a sign to Oconee State Park, follow it). Turn left here.
Proceed several miles to the four way stop sign and turn left on Earl's Ford Road. Proceed to the
end of this road and into the Earl's Ford Parking area. You will see the registration box and
sign on the left.
There are many variations to a Section 3 itinerary including access points at Thrifts Ferry, Fall
Creek, and Sandy Ford.. More info to come.
Boaters can also put in on Warwoman Creek.
or Whetstone Creek.
Another popular option is to put in at Thrifts Ferry about 2 miles above Bull Sluice and the
Highway 76 Bridge, and takeout at Woodall Shoals (See Section 4 of the Chattooga River for
more information on this part of the river). At Woodall Shoals portage left on the big rock or
run rar right (Georgia Side of the river).
| Name | Range | Updated | Level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA | |||||||||
| usgs-02177000 | 1.20 - 3.00 ft | 01h27m | 1.98 ft (rc= 0.4 ) | ||||||
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Earls Ford |  | |
| 0.3 | Warwoman Rapid | II+ |  |
| 1.2 | First Island Rapid | II | |
| 1.6 | Rock Garden | II+ | |
| 2.3 | 3 Rooster Tails | III | |
| 2.5 | Dicks Creek Ledge | III+ | |
| 3.0 | Sandy Ford Rapid | III |   |
| 3.5 | The Narrows | III+ | |
| 3.5 | Narrows - second half of the rapid | III | |
| 4.0 | Second Ledge | III | |
| 5.4 | Eye of the Needle | III+ | |
| 8.0 | Fall Creek | | |
| 9.0 | Rollercoaster | III | |
| 9.2 | Painted Rock | III+ | |
| 11.0 | Thrifts Ferry | II+ |  |
| 12.2 | Bull Sluice | IV | |
| 12.2 | Bull Sluice (high water) | |
| Run left, punch the wave hole. |
(Click on image for larger view) |
| Very large double drop rapid full of potholes and undercuts. During the summer the locals will swim into a cave under the main flow then hang out and watch you boat over them. AW standard rated class 4+ from 1.8 to 2.3. Its easier lower, and harder higher. | 
Boofing Decapitation Rock (Click on image for fullsize photo.) |
When the Chattooga gets huge boaters still run the Sluice.
Report covering the recreation users, use, economic impacts, and economic benefits of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.
Letters in opposition of paddling on the Chattooga from Paul Broun, Robin Hayes and J. Gresham Barrett - Congressional Representatives
River Alert
State News
State News
River Links
NWRI - Chattooga Section 3 - Earls Ford to Route 76 Bridge (mobile)
User Comments
river splits in two around the big rock at the bottom of the narrows. The tree is pinned on the
large middle rock and spans the entire river left and right channels. Most of us were in a raft
that definately would not fit under the tree at 2.5 on the Hwy. 76 bridge. Two of the paddlers
barely scraped under the tree, but these paddlers are far above the caliper of the average sec. III
paddler. I think everyone should get out and look at it before you run the bottom part. Sorry if
someone has already posted this, but I didnt want to hear of anyone getting hurt. Edit
right of run Edit
in the class 2 tongue immediately upstream from I think S-Turn (the rapid with the big, vertical
boulder near river-left not far upstream from Bull Sluice). It's a long log protruding from
river-left, starting in the air but slightly underwater all the way across the fastest current. The
level was 1.08, and it was easy to see and miss. At higher levels or even at 1 foot, this could be
a nasty pin for the unwary.
earls ford. It is a great way to spend 2 hours after a day of work. The shuttle takes 5 minutes. If
you play some you can liesurely do this section in 2 hours and you get some great scenery,
isolation (during the week), and have some fun rapids to play on.
right. You cant miss it. We went left of the island at 1.4 or so and it was way too bony. The right
side is too fun to miss.
gage.
Bridge = USGS
0.9 = 1.2
1.05 = 1.29
1.3 = 1.5
1.42 = 1.62
1.95 = 2.03
2.2 = 2.2
2.9 = 2.9
You'll notice that below 1.5 on the bridge there is a .2 difference in the gages. Above 1.5 they
start to converge. Just over 2 feet they agree. I got the 2.2 and the 2.9 readings this weekend -
thanx to Hanna!!!!!! I'm not sure if they begin to disagre at higher levels, but that would be a
good guess. I'll keep an eye on it and post with more data later!
Paddle Safe -- Rob