BACKGROUND AND LOGISTICS
Releases on the Tallulah were secured by American Whitewater in 1996 after the majestic Tallulah Gorge stood dewatered for nearly a century. It is a demanding Class IV-V run that merits serious consideration because of the numerous injuries each release season and the remarkably inaccessible Gorge. Please carry appropriate safety gear with your party and please note that boaters with inappropriate gear and experience may be turned away by DNR officials.
On April 3-4 and April 10-11, releases will begin at 9:30 am when the water in the Gorge is stabilized. Occasionally the water is stabilized before 9:30, and Boater Registration will open at 9:00 in case. As always, please cross under the highway to reach registration, and remember that boaters are prohibited in the Gorge before 9:00 or before the registration area is open. Boater Registration will close at 3:00 pm, at which time a sweep team will enter the Gorge. Please stay ahead of the sweep team and note that the water will shut off at the dam at 4:00. Shuttles will end at 5:00.
Saturday releases will be 500 cfs and Sunday releases will be 700 cfs, though please note that flows are subject to change at any time and may be slightly higher or lower than anticipated. Be careful.
BOATER CAMPING, DNR RULES, AND DOG RESTRICTIONS
The boater camping lot is found on the the right toward the Interpretive Center. The fee is $4 per night, and you can purchase your pass in the morning when you come in. Be sure to pay before you go to bed, otherwise, the rangers will wake you up at 6:30 am to collect your $4! And none of us want that to happen!
DNR has asked AW to reemphasize its strict policy on controlled substances. Remember that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Tallulah Gorge State Park. Drinking out in the open or front of hikers and tourists will result in a ticket or expulsion from the Park! DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
While dogs are welcome at boater camping, they must be leashed. Unleashed dogs have become a serious problem at boater camping and DNR has asked American Whitewater to share with the paddling community that there will be a zero-tolerance policy on unleashed dogs. They will may impound unleashed dogs, ticket owners, eject owners from the Park, or BAN DOGS ALTOGETHER. Don’t let YOUR DOG ruin things for everybody else’s.
ON THE STAIRS AND RIVER
Please stay on the stairs. They are built to protect an endangered species of Trillium, and every year, Trillium is destroyed by paddlers who leave the stairs for whatever reason. The protection of the Trillium is absolutely essential in maintaining the current release schedule, and if the Trillium at the bottom right of the stairs continues to be trampled, we could easily return to the permit system. There is a boat rack at the back of the platform and there will be a volunteer stationed on the platform to direct traffic. Again, DO NOT LEAVE THE STAIRS ON THE RIGHT FOR ANY REASON. Don’t go to the bathroom there. Don’t put your boat there. Don’t put in there.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND EVACUATION
There is a med kit with inflatable backboard on river left at Oceana. For injuries at Oceana, the best access is back up the stairs. For life-threatening emergencies at Oceana, please send a runner to the volunteer at the launch platform who will have a radio, and DNR can respond with the proper response team.
The only other access in the Tallulah Gorge is at Bridal Veil on river right, where a trail acends to Highway 441. Once at the top, the boater parking area is 1/4 mile down to the right. Access for evacuation at the bottom of the Gorge is unreliable. There is an inclined car at the powerhouse. If you are in need of evacuation before the lake, please send word ahead and DNR and Georgia Power can arrange for evacuation at the powerhouse. There may or may not be a person there on duty, so send word ahead.
INFLATABLE POLICY
If you are planning to paddle an inflatable at the Tallulah this season, please read the Tallulah Gorge Inflatable Policy (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/722/) before your trip.
SHUTTLES
Over the last few years, NOC has graciously donated FREE shuttle services for us and at a financial loss to them. In these changing economic times, they simply can’t afford to do shuttles for free any more, yet their generosity continues — NOC will be providing shuttles for us AT COST — and since we can’t run Tallulah without them, DNR will be collecting $5 per car at the gate and the remaining money will help reimburse NOC for shuttles. That way, NOC will break even and we will have efficient shuttles starting at 11:00 am and running until 5:00 pm. THANK YOU, NOC!
VOLUNTEERS, WE STILL NEED THEM!
Volunteers make the Tallulah possible, and we still need volunteers to help staff boater registration, parking, and help monitor the launch platform and swinging bridge (in the heart of the Gorge, no doubt). If you are interested, please e-mail sutton@suttonbacon.com
DOWNSTREAMPHOTO
Ben Edson and Jasen Melton will be back again taking photos in the Gorge. Please stop by their website for more details: www.downstreamphoto.com or visit their booth in the parking area. Photos will be available on site or by order over the Internet, and they will be at all of the releases this spring. Also, please know that Downstream Photo donates a portion of all sales and then some to American Whitewater to help it conserve and restore whitewater rivers just like the Tallulah. You guys are the best!
TALLULAH DVD
Our volunteer video team is putting the finishing touches on the Tallulah DVD as we speak and it should be at your doorstep during the April release season. Extra copies will also be available for advanced purchase at the AW tent, so please stop by to make sure you are on the list or purchase a copy for yourself! If you have any questions about the Tallulah DVD, please contact Sutton Bacon at sutton@suttonbacon.com.