Rock Gorge - Burrells Ford to Highway 28 Bridge (AKA Section 1)Class II-V
11.3 Miles
Avg Gradient 38 fpm
Max Gradient 125 fpm
Spectacular scenery
Spectacular scenery Photo of Chattooga by Brian Jacobson © 2007 taken 5 January 2007 @ 1.5 (Burls) Gauge Information
Chattooga
River DescriptionThis section of the Chattooga is currently illegal to paddle based on a string of arbitrary decisions made by the Sumter National Forest. The Chief of the Forest Service in granting AW's appeal stated: "...the record provided to me does not contain the evidence to continue the boating ban, his decision is not consistent with the direction in Section 10(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act or Sections 2(a) and 4(b) of the Wilderness Act or agency regulations implementing these Acts." 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 upper approximately 2.5 miles of the run is swift water and gradually increased in difficulty culminating in a few Class III ledge drops just upstream of Big Bend Falls. At moderate flows, these drops are easy to approach, scout and run from a boat. Stop on the river right above Big Bend Falls, at approximately Mile 3. The Big Bend Falls rapid is a river-wide waterfall made up of a series of smaller ledges dropping approximately 25 feet. Mile 4 included a number of Class III to IV read-and-run rapids. At approximately Mile 5, you reach four approximately Class IV rapids above the Rock Gorge. The Rock Gorge consists of a series of Class 4 rapids closely spaced in a narrow canyon. Following the Rock Gorge, and approximately 1 mile upstream of Lick Log Creek, the river returns to Class I and swift water. The next five miles to the 28 bridge consists entirely of swift water. The total run time is about 5 hours.(adapted from FS Expert Panel Report) This run is the best scenic run on the Chattooga. The moss covered rock cliffs along the sides, relatively open vistas from the water, and relaxed nature of the trip makes this a wonderful way to spend the day on the water. The rapids are all significant so its a long flatwater trip if you don't have Class V skills. Shuttle Directions Start at 28 Boaters Put In located approximately 1.4 miles south of the 28 Bridge. Go south on Hwy 28 approximately 7 miles to Hwy 107. Turn left and go 10 miles to Burrell’s Ford Road. Turn left and go 2.6 miles to the Burrell’s Ford Bridge. Emergency Locations
Reach Profile
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 StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2008-07-15 22:06:28
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Chattooga R near Clayton GA [ GA ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| AW Gauge ID: | 876 |
| USGS Station: | 02177000 |
| HUC: | 03060102 |
| Latitude: | 34.8139 |
| Longitude: | -83.3061 |
| Class: | 1 |
User Comments |
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2005-07-18 15:25:35 (1138 days ago)
Jerry Jascomb
We stopped by the Burrell's Ford bridge to check the level on July 8 when Overflow was 2.6 and Hwy 76 about 6 ft, just to have a look. A ranger, Dave Heddon, drove up warn us that boating above Hwy 28 was illegal. He said he drove around on high water days looking to bust boaters trying to poach a run. Fine for 1st offense would be $150, more after that. He wrote down our tag #'s as souvenirs. Word to the wise.
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2003-06-25 13:10:02 (1892 days ago)
Brad Roberts
From Anonyomous on boatertalk:
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Date: Oct 17 2002, 15:41 GMT
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The consequences of getting caught are significant. You can either violate the law by paddling without a permit, or violate the terms of a permit by paddling above Highway 28. Or, I suppose you could be charged with fraudulence in filling out the permit. Most people that get caught don't have a permit, so they are charged with paddling on the Wild & Scenic River without a permit.
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The enforcing authority is Sumter Forest Service.
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It'll be tried in Federal Court as it is a Federal Offense. The penalty specified is up to 6 months in jail and $5000 fine. Also, they can confiscate your equipment.
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Of course, they have a scale of typical penalties for first, second, and repeated offenses. The first will probably be a small fine of $100 or $200 or so. If there are aggravating circumstances (i.e. you piss them off) and you don't get a lawyer, it could be worse. Lawyers that work in Federal Court are more expensive and less common also.
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If you run it and get caught, it will probably be because of one of two reasons:
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1. You left a shuttle vehicle that looked like a boating vehicle at one end or the other.
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2. Someone (most likely an angler) reported you.
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This time of year, you are very likely to see someone on the shore. There are fishing trails and they get used often. Some anglers like solitude and view boaters as an intrusion. Some are very adamant about it. After all, the river is there for them and we're not allowed. Why should they give it up, right?
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If the rangers know you're on the river, they will wait for you at the takeout. They will wait well into the night and will get less and less tolerant as it gets later.
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If you get caught, it will not help our cause. However, whether or not you got caught, AW needs your anonymous trip report to help describe the run and boating's impact on the Wilderness experience. So, e-mail your trip report, even if it's old, to Jason.
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Section 0 has a significant class 5 on it. The rest is class 3 at ordinary flow.
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Section 1 has a bunch of 4/5 stuff. Both must have run at yesterday's levels. They run with a little less water than Overflow.
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Don't ask me how I know all this.
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Burrell's Ford |  | |
| 2.7 | Big Bend Falls | 5.1 |     |
| 4.5 | Rock-in the-Hole-in the-Wall | IV+ | |
| 5.2 | Maytag | 5.0 | |
| 5.6 | Harvey Wallbanger | IV | |
| 5.8 | Upper Big Hairy Bastard | IV | |
| 5.9 | Lower Big Hairy Bastard | IV | |
| 7.4 | Lick Log Creek Trail |  | |
| 11.3 | 28 Bridge |  |
This waterfall is one of the largest drops on the river. Lines exist on the far right and left but the consequences of missing are large. In an emergency there is a trail head just upstream from the falls at the right bend in the river that goes up to the Big Bend road. Low Water
Significant drop signaled by a rocky slide upstream. A rock resides in the middle of the hole in the bottom of the drop. Run to either edge of the hole.
Drop into a large hole that is backed up by a rock that intensifies hole quickly with higher water. Trees tend to hang up here. There is an alternate route down river right if needed. Low Water
Converging water feeds into rock wall on left shore Low Water
Blind approach into slide.
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
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