Tellico
2. Bridge above Bald River to bridge below Jared's Knee(Upper Tellico)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 130 fpm |
| Gauge | Tellico River at Tellico Plains, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 43 minutes | 106 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 29, 2025 |
River Description
Overview
The Upper Tellico, also known as the 'Ledges' section, is only two miles in length, but the significant whitewater makes it seem longer. A parallel road makes scouting and shuttling easy and this section can be run several times in one day. The Upper Tellico has great scenery, great water, and good drops. This is a classic southeastern whitewater--please don't take this gem for granted!
Description
The put-in consists of bumpy class II water that brings you to a series of ledges after passing under the first bridge. With a low level, these ledges can mostly be boat scouted to find the best route. At higher flows it's best that you already know your line. The Top Ledge is a six-foot drop that shouldn't present any problems, although river right should be avoided because a pinning potential exists here. You can see the piton/pin rock in this picture. The rock is just under the ledge at the far left of the picture.
Next is Dirty S, named for the way you run this class III drop. Middle Ledge (III) is an eight foot plunge with an automatic boof if run towards river right. There is plenty of calm water between these drops, so they shouldn't surprise you.
After these ledges, you will encounter more class II water and a sharp bend to the left in the river brings you to a short class II+ rapid. Immediately after this rapid be on the lookout for a horizon line. This is Baby Falls (III+ to IV), a 15-foot drop into a pool. Eddy on river right and scout your line. If you run far right, you will practically land into an eddy. If you run the middle, you bette
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River Features
Put In
Baby Falls
After these ledges, you will encounter more class II water and a sharp bend to the left in the river brings you to a short class II+ rapid. Immediately after this rapid be on the lookout for a horizon line. This is Baby Falls (III+ to IV), a 15-foot drop into a pool. Eddy on river right and scout your line. If you run far right, you will practically land into an eddy. If you run the middle, you better have some speed, and the left side offers a sweet boof into the pool below. If you portage, do it on river left. (This is true for all the rapids on the Upper section.)
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportNOTE: Adventurous and some light portaging.
We took a 10' 5' RMR Storm Raft and 2 AIRE Tributary Spuds down the 7-8 mile stretch starting from above the bridge that is upstream of the 6' ledge and ending past the junction on river right.
All taller ledges were able to be run in both the raft and spuds, Baby Falls was runnable and lappable at this flow. Great for spending time hucking multiple times.
Directly below Baby Falls was shallow, but navigable on the river right side in both raft and spud. Jared's Knee was navigable in both raft and spud, with small short moments of being stuck.
This flow definitely runs with the right technical rafting skill and the willingness to get out from time to time to push off of a few rocks here and there - not everyone's idea of a good time, but we will be back for it again!
Left side boof on Baby Falls
Baby Falls left line boof at 1.8ft.
After work fun at Tellico
Boofing Top ledge
Large tree down in the chute, river left, just before Jarrads Knee. Easily seen, and can be avoided by taking the sneak in the ledge just to the right of the chute.
Baby Falls
The tree below cry-baby was gone in early December
The 'Tellico Ledges Gage' is on the downstream river right side of the center support on the put-in bridge. Its easily seen from the road. The gage is not meant to compete with or replace the USGS Tellico Gage. Its simply a safety tool to help padder's know if the river is flashing up, creating dangerous hydraulics at the ledges. Please report your levels so we can get this one dialed in.
Matt and Ellen DeVoe running Baby Falls