Gauge Description:

The USGS online gauge is located near the take-out bridge. The Soquee River comes in above the take-out and can affect the readings of the online gauge.


The first reading below is cfs, then the on-line Cornelia gauge above.

200 cfs / <.7 / 1.6 - It's a hike - Don't go. Some would add a few tenths before going. Sehlinger & Otey actually say .8 is minimum per the 2nd reading
480 cfs / 1.1 / 2.0 - Low but still fun - You have to search for surf spots.
980 cfs / 1.7 / 2.5 - Good level for most. Surfing begins to get good.
1500 cfs / 2.3 / 3.0 - Lots of fun, but more challenging - This can be tricky for those with less skill/experience and used to lower levels.
2800 cfs / 3.5 / 4.0+ Carnage abounds (for beginners) - I've seen some serious rescues at this level, but it's still a class 3-4 run. This level only occurs after a hard sustained rain.

The Hooch occasionally goes higher, 11.58 in July '03 and 15.72 feet in Sept '04.



As of August 2001, 200 cfs at the take-out was equal to about 1.2 feet at the put-in.

There used to be a USGS gauge about 100 feet upstream of the put-in on river left, but it was blown out in a flood a few years back and was not replaced. This was the gauge that most of the existing guidebooks referred to.

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NEAR CORNELIA, GA. [ GA ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 0.64 254 9/7 3:45 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

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Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
GA	Chattahoochee— 3 - Upper Hooch - GA Route 115 to Duncan Bridge Road	II-III	254 cfs	low	9/7 3:45
GA	Chattahoochee— 4 - Duncan Bridge to Belton Bridge (Lake Lanier)	II(III)	254 cfs	med	9/7 3:45
GA	Hazel Creek— US 441 Bus. to Duncan Bridge	III+	0.64 ft	low	9/7 3:45
GA	Mossy Creek— New Bridge Road to Chattahoochee River	III-IV	254 cfs*	low	9/7 3:45
GA	Mud Creek— Mud Creek Rd. to Chatahoochee	II-III	254 cfs	low	9/7 3:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	6462
USGS Station:	02331600
HUC:
Latitude:
Longitude:
Class:

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Whitewater Home Companion Southeastern Rivers, Vol 1
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Buck Island Shoals (Class III+, Mile 1.0)
Multiple routes on both sides of the island. Big holes develop on the right side of the island at high water. At lower flows most people run the narrow channel on the left of the island.

Canoe Eating Rock (Class II+, Mile 1.2)
Rock on river right above the Lunch Beach. Good surf wave with a huge eddy on the bottom right.

First Ledge (Class II+, Mile 1.5)
At flows above 2500 cfs or over about 4 feet a dangerous low head dam type hole forms on the right side of this rapid. This one is easy to see coming due to the long pool above it and the large rock outcrop on river right. Run left or right at most water levels.

Second Ledge (Class II+, Mile 1.6)
Generally run on river left.

Third Ledge (Class III, Mile 1.8)
Fun, shallow side surfing hole.

Washboard (Class II+, Mile 1.9)
Another long wide shoal rapid. At higher flows there is great surfing everywhere in this one!

False Horseshoe (Class II, Mile 2.1)
A long riverwide shoal, with a sandy beach at the bottom on river left. Lots of fun small waves and holes thru the shoals.

Horseshoe (Class III, Mile 2.5)
Run left to right. Big pool at the bottom.

Shoals below horseshoe (Class II+, Mile 3.0)
long fun shoal rapids with some good surfing opportunities.

One more for the road. (Class II+, Mile 4.1)
Just downstream of the takeout, below the bridge, is one last ledge. There are a series of holes on the right, and a wave on the left. At low flows there is an island in the middle. Play your brains out, then paddle back up the 100 yards to the take-out.