Apalachee

Flow about 76 cfs. Portaged dam at High Shoals on the left and wheelchaired down the rest of the slide. Big boof at the end, on river left. Many (7 or so) river wide dead falls that seem newish. Ok to paddle or climb over but budget an hour or more to deal with these. Sandbars became problematic towards the end of the run due to the low flow, but dealable. Price Mill rapids, wheel chair on the left then back to the middle for decent fun. Tookout river left below the bridge. Parked on the ROW on the downstream, river left side of the road. There is a faint animal trail to the river so not a horrible hike out.

This run is challenging access and obstacle wise but incredibly beautiful. With stealth you can spot otters, racoons and owls. Water quality seemed good.

Updates for 2020 on access, the road leading down to the sandy beach below the falls is private property. At 600cfs the falls was fun on the left side, the autoboof centerline was too scrapy. I am going to post a picture of the far right side drop. Definitely runnable, but there is a rock in landing area to watch out for and the rebar at the top.

Looking for a paddling buddy or two in the Oconee County/Athens area. I get up to Chattooga a couple times a year, but I want to check out some of the closer options such as Apalachee, Barber Creek, and the Broad while we have such wonderfully wet conditions that most 'normal' folks seem so bent out of shape about! I can't find a personal message option on AW, but would like to meet up for some floats if anyone has any interest. I've got a raft and a yak.

I have been paddling and researching the Appalachee for the last few years. I would like to restructure the 3 reaches currently listed in the AW database with 4 sections. These would be labeled 2-5 and would go from Treadwell Bridge Road (just above Hwy 78) to Hwy 278 at Lake Oconee. This would encompass 36 miles. The restructure will enable updates to be made concerning access, rapids, dams and the infamous swamp. Sections 0, 1 would be reserved for the upstream reaches I have not paddled yet. The restructuring would be done so as to preserve existing information (comments, etc) for the 3 sections already in place. If you have comments, suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

Water Level 465 cfs
September 12, 2017

Ran this section yesterday after the river peaked from Hurricane Irma. Put in above the Hwy 186 Bridge. Sneaked the far left side of the dam down to access the falls. Took out at Price Mill. No strainers or new deadfall in the river. Water level was 465 cfs.

Video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/eQtrW4u8qMM

Water Level 465 cfs
September 12, 2017

High Shoals back in the day

High Shoals back in the day.

There is an alternative line on far river right that includes a vertical drop.

The drop is an actual class III move but has some rebar near the top.

Posted to Boater Talk by Peter on 12/14/02:

From Willdvb on boatertalk:

High Shoals is just a big slide with a nice launch pad in the center at proper flows. I have only run it at high flows, around 2000 and above, and at that level it is great, fun stoff above the drop to play in and then the big drop to hit. The main danger is that rocks below the surface on the river left of the launch pad that are easy to piton on if you are running it at too low of a level, leg breakers for sure. If in doubt, make sure you boof the launch pad in the center. Not sure about the slot on far right, never got over there to check it out but it may offer a creeky alternative, just gotta scope it out and make the call. To get there, go out 441 south from Athens and at the big gas station complex (handy Pantry perhaps), take the right and go til you are abotu to cross over the river, take the small dirt road on the left and follow to a sandy beach below the drop. Carry up the river left side of the drop and run it. Fun, fun, fun, but definitely a one hit wonder.

High Shoals with decent water. Fun park and slide!
River Left side
River Right Side. There's also a far right side slot that looks fun, I didn't get over that far though.

Slip 'n Slide courtesy Mother Nature and Father Time.

Far river right line of the falls