Open Walk-On from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
First two weekends in April: 5-6, 12-13
Saturdays at 500 cfs and Sundays at 700 cfs
That’s right, Tallulah season is almost here!
Releases begin at 9:30 am and all boaters must start down the stairs by 3:00 pm to beat the flow down to the lake. You will need to sign a waiver at the top of the stairs to be permitted to paddle the river and veteran Tallulah boaters will need only to initial our registry. Please continue to park across the road from the put-in for a $2.00 fee per vehicle, and remember that you must go under the bridge to cross the road. As always, boater camping is across the bridge toward the Interpretative Center on the right; you will see the signs.
Thanks to boater cooperation, permit-free weekends are here for yet another year, but with this increase in use, the need for us to tread lightly increases. If we do, the chance of getting more releases in a few years also increases. If we don’t, then the permit system could return.
To help us keep permit-free access, here’s how you can help:
1. DON’T TRAMPLE THE TRILLIUM
Keep boats and bodies on the steps, bedrock, or water at ALL TIMES, especially at the bottom of the stairs, where some boaters jump the right rail or throw their boats vertically over the back of the platform. These areas are home to the one thing that could effectively end ALL releases on the Tallulah: persistent trillium. Also, keep your impact on the riverbank to a bare minimum in connection with scouting rapids.
This is absolutely CRITICAL because the protection of this endangered species literally makes or breaks permit-free releases in the Gorge. Remember, boaters now enjoy unlimited use of the Tallulah, but hikers and climbers are still limited to 120 visitors per day in the Gorge. Let’s keep the river open!
2. TALLULAH VOLUNTEERS
We can’t do it without you! We need help managing parking, working at the registration tables, working with the AW staff, carrying the med-kit in and out, managing parking and boater camping, staffing the suspension bridge, and even doing some carpentry work on the stairs. And yes, ALL VOLUNTEERS GET TO PADDLE TOO! If you would like more information about Tallulah volunteering, please e-mail me at sutton@suttonbacon.com.
Also, from mid-March through mid-May, Bill Tanner and the DNR staff need help counting trillium species in the Gorge. No experience necessary, although you will be instructed on how to count. For paddlers, the trillium counts are important for DNR to prove that our impact in the Gorge is not endangering this species further. I will post more details about this volunteer opportunity soon.
3. BOATER SHUTTLES
While we don’t require you to use the free shuttles that Georgia Power, NOC, and AW supply, it significantly helps with parking problems if you use them. This year, the shuttles will begin promptly at 11:30 instead of 12:00. Also, we hope all vans they provide will feature a roof-rack to make transportation of inflatables and open canoes easier. As always, at the take-out, be nice, patient, and wait your turn.
Also, if you plan to run your own shuttle, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT parking or driving past the sign to the top of the dam. If you run your own shuttle, drive slowly and carefully and park well out of the road and the way of the shuttle drivers. Please remember that any problems concerning private shuttles could shut the gate at the bottom of the big hill, where the road forks down to the campground, and you would then have to park at the campground to run your shuttle.
4. KEEP BEER EXTREMELY LOW PROFILE
Remember that while alcohol is prohibited in state parks, the wonderful Tallulah rangers have said as long as boaters remain discreet (plastic cups, etc), they would avoid writing any tickets. Since they are being understanding about this, we need to return the favor by being respectful of them. If you are planning on drinking at any of the state regulated areas (Gorge, parking lot, boater camping, etc), grab a complimentary plastic cup at the AW tent and please drink responsibly and discreetly or you may get a ticket!
The same goes for boater camping. If you must drink, do it behind your car in a somewhat civilized manner. Last November’s AW party was a fun time by all, but it was only made possible through special permission from the park. We are already in the process of planning an even better event in the Fall, so let’s keep boater camping well under control this Spring — one, to allow for a great time next November, and also, and much more importantly, to avoid losing access to this important, convenient, and downright cheap camping location.
If you paddle an inflatable (raft, shredder, IK), please view the Tallulah Inflatable Standard
It is important to patronize local businesses during release weekends. In addition to the tangible economic example i
And speaking of local businesses, remember that the annual community festival will occur on Saturday, April 5, and be aware that parking is always a problem during the festival. Be patient, and
8. USE THE BOAT RACK
Last year, AW volunteers constructed a boat rack on the back of the platform. So by all means, use it instead of placing your boat on or off the platform! We hope this can lighten some of the crowding at the bottom of the stairs and give weary boaters ample room to rest their legs after the hike, but in case there is confusion at the bottom, PLEASE do not (or let your boat) venture from the stairs for ANY reason!
Also, if you possess a higher-than-average aptitude in carpentry and would be interesting in helping expand the launch platform, please contact me.
9. TALLULAH RACE
Once again, NO RACE THIS SPRING. However, AW, Georgia Power, and DNR officials are seriously considering hosting an official race on the Tallulah in the future, at a time when we would ensure an open and uncrowded riverbed, with ample safety boats and rope positions set throughout the course — instead of during a crowded open release, particularly when releases are scarce to begin with. In the meantime, we do welcome your feedback (positive or negative) about such an event.
Don’t forget, there would be no releases in Tallulah Gorge if it were not for the hard work of the American Whitewater staff and volunteers AND that the continuation of permit-free access to Tallulah Gorge lays in the hands of the boating community! Let’s all continue to demonstrate our superb stewardship of this natural resource.
As always, for more information, check out the best StreamKeeper site on the entire SK network, Brad Robert’s Tallulah Gorge page: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/506
Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sutton@suttonbacon.com.
Thanks and we’ll see you at Tallulah!
Sutton Bacon
AW Tallulah Coordinator