Hiwassee

For plenty of folks, Devil Shoals is a body surfing spot.  However, understand that while it is a Class II or Class II+, a big amount of the river funnels through that narrow place, and so there is plenty of push.  So keep you feet well up...and be prepared for a face-full or nose-full of water.

While not dangerous under normal flow rates, caution is always necessary around this kind of water.  Almost as soon as you hit the 'rooster tail,' you are free to start swimming left, looking for a place to get out of the flow.  However, if you want, there is nothing particular below there and the take-out that is more that Class I+, I suppose.  (Do be careful, though, when going under the railroad trestle, to not wind up pin-balling off one of the pilings or, if in a raft, winding up wrapped (although the water is not fast, it is enough, under the right circumstances, to make life miserable).

Also, note that the Hiwassee is a COLD RIVER.  No, not cold like western rivers, but typically in the high 50s, I suppose.  The only colder river I've done in that part of that general latitude is the Nantahala in North Carolina--and that's likely because the 'canyon' is so narrow that the sun doesn't hit the river except for a short while each day.

FYI - Wood hazard - Have a friend that had a scary experience on Devil Shoals. Apparently there is a tree/log half across the river on the left side, at the end of the rapid. The incident led to 2 pin scenarios, both new boaters, so be aware of this hazard for new boaters..

Notes:
Do not confuse the Applachia Dam with the Applachia Powerhouse. The Powerhouse is 8.8 miles downstream from the dam. It gets its water from the dam via a tunnel. (Hiwassee dam is completely different from either of these.)

The dam may release water into the river at very high lake levels, but it does not generate power, and has no scheduled releases.

The Powerhouse is about 1/2 mile above the put in, and is where all the water for paddling from the Powerhouse put-in to Reliance comes from. (Unless the dam is spilling water.)

The USGS river gauge on the Hiwassee is at Charleston, below the confluence of the Hiwassee and the Ocoee Rivers, so it cannot be used as a reliable indicator of water levels for either river, especially since both are dam controlled.

The link to TVA Applachia Powerhouse is: http://www.tva.gov/lakes/aph\_r.htm

TVA has a smartphone app that makes it very easy to check all its dam releases.

Funnel Rapid I think?

Just past Stairstep Rapids

No complaints on this end, smlipy a good piece.

Thanks guys, I just about lost it looknig for this.

Busy day at the take out.

Will be there tomorrow! Gets easier every time.

Showing his peeps the right line to take on Oblique.

Hiwassee River, beginning of Devils Shoals

Here's a video tour of the Hiwassee I did with the Georgia Canoeing Association on Memorial Day Weekend 2010....check it out. It shows all the major rapids...
http://www.vimeo.com/15007826

trying sot dagger torrent on the Hiwassee

Matt Todhunter surfing the bottom of stairsteps.

On Saturday (09-05-09), we went down the Hiwassee. The log jam was gone.

Running the recommended drop in the Funnel ( or Commode :) get ready to be flushed...

grabbed the camera, hoping I wouldn't flip

One of top 3 rapids (my opinion) on Hiwassee... this one is fun, challenging cross currents, nice drops, fast water, nice waves...hang on...

swift pool above Stairstep rapids

Hiwassee Outfitters is at the typical takeout for this section. They should know all the details you would want. http://www.hiwasseeoutfitters.com/

I have run the section from Reliance down to Gee Creek. We were camping there, so that is where we took out, I know there is a picnic area on river left before that, but it is only about another hour from Reliance to Gee Creek. There is one class II right where the TVA lines cross the Hiwassee. That is all I recall, I am sure the overall current was nice, but the whitewater section ends at Reliance as far as I know.

Not really a comment, but a question. If you run past the bridge at Reliance to add on some miles, what is the river like and what is the next take out point?

I ran the hiwassee this past labour day. I couldn't tell if the water was up or not because some rapids seemed bigger and others seemed smaller. Anywho is was a fun run and I defiantely recommend it, especially for beginners. This is the river TSRA uses for their annual kayak and canoe school.

Ran this river on Nov 10th with just 1 GENERATOR, it was completely worth it and quite fun. The flat sections are a little scrapy but there are some new playspots that show up at low water and devil shoals has a change to it. Make sure the 1 generator releases for at least 2 hours, 3 is better. We out ran the water and had to wait for it to catch up to us, so pay attention to the level and enjoy.

Shuttle Route.

From the Texaco station on TN 30. Turn right out of the station and take an immediate right onto the bridge over the river. Take the first right turn after the bridge (Childress Creek Road, sign for Roses' restaurant). Drive a few miles until you see a road off to your right - the two businesses with signs are 'Reliance Fly and Tackle' and the 'Ocoee Outdoors Hiwassee Outpost.' Take a right here on the road between these two businesses. Keep on driving - you will pass a few USFS parking areas, including the Towee Boating Site. You could put in here, but you'll miss half the ride. When you reach the Powerhouse Boating Site, you've found the putin.

I don't know what kind of shuttle deal Hiwassee Outfitters runs. Webb Brothers (operates out of the Texaco) charges $5 for a shuttle with kayak, $3 for just a person w/o a kayak. The shuttle ride is short enough to drop off your boats at the putin, drive back, and take the shuttle back up. Or just do that yourself.

A two unit release equals about 1200 cfs.

We went down in Mid June, the water was cold, but not unbareable. Hiwassee Outfitters really took care of us. The stretch we ran was a little over 6 miles. It had some nice, solid class II rapids and several great surfing spots. Expect to paddle some flat water between the rapids. The Hiwassee is pretty wide, we found the best rapids center or river left. We found a few holes, nothing that wouldn't spit you out and if you like to play in holes, you will have fun with them.

Added a new gauge. Its about 10 miles or more down from the takeout. We'll give it a try and see if we should keep it or not.

High above the Hiwassee.
Another from high above Hiwassee. I apologize for the quality, it is from my cell phone.