Chestatee
1 - Turners Corner to Town Creek Church Bridge (a/k/a Garnett Bridge)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 10.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Gauge | Chestatee River Near Dahlonega, Ga |
| Flow Rate as of 35 minutes | 1.71 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 3, 2006 |
River Description
Sources: S. Welander, B. Sehlinger and D. Otey, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia (2004); B. Sehlinger and D. Otey, Northern Georgia Canoeing (1980).
The Chestatee is created shortly upstream of Turner's Corner by the confluence of Dick's Creek (including flow from Blood Mountain Creek, Waters Creek and others) and Frogtown Creek: the confluence of Boggs Creek just above Turner's Corner adds more volume.
In the past there have been some conflicts among landowners, fishermen, and boaters on this stretch. In September, 2003, David Miller wrote:
I started at the Sheriffs office (706-864-6101). The lady there had no idea, and told me that I needed to speak with 'dispatch' (706-864-3633). Dispatch had me on hold for several minutes, then came back and said that there were no restrictions that they knew of, but I should really check with The Dept of Natural Resources (770-535-5499). DNR told me that there were no restrictions on paddling that section. So it does not sound like it is set aside for fishermen only.
Welander, Sehlinger and Otey note that the upper Chestatee flows entirely through private property, that landowners have been hostile to boating in the past and that signs remain reflecting a 1980's era county ordinance prohibiting boating above Copper Mine. As they suggest, 'enforcing this ordinance is questionable, but discretion is advised.
The first 3.5+ miles of the Chestatee include small rapids and primarily agricultural land: beware of downed trees in this portion (including two visible just above Tate Bridge). Below Tate Bridge, the gradient increases to over 24 fpm and this portion includes some Class II rapids.
At Turner's Corner, park and put in above the highway intersection. Park only at the roadside parking area, not at the cafe just below the intersection or on any other private property.
The next access is at Tate Bridge on Damascus Church Road, 3.5 miles downriver from Turner's Corner. The roa
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportMy wife, son and I went on this section of the river when the level was reported low but able to ride. Sadly this was one of our worst days on the river. There were four trees blocking the river where we had to port our kayaks around plus we spent much of our time out of the boat pushing off of the rocks. We expected a few hours on the river but after six hours and a hole in the boat, we beached the boats a couple of miles from the Town Creek Church Road Bridge. The water flow should be at least twice what we were on
Ran 3/3/07 with my 3 year old in a Mad River Monarch. Dahlonega gauge 3.0' and falling (~900 cfs). Gauge at Turners Corner was about 1.75'.
Having run the Etowah (falls section) and Section 2 and 3 of the Hooch at low water in the same boat with my daughter, I was surprised at the difficulty of this run. Several of the larger drops had no easy portage with steep banks and water flowing bank to bank. I would rate some of the drops more like Class 3 - I felt it was harder than Section 3 of the Chattahoochee. I think the most difficult part is one particularly long rapids near a development on the left bank maybe 5-6 miles from Tate Bridge.
This is the first run I can ever recall doing where I thought the guide may have under-rated some rapids. A beautiful run, but not to be taken too lightly.
New Streamkeeper: Rick Bellows, chestateer@yahoo.com.
I am planning to paddle this section this weekend. I spoke with the Lumpkin County Sherrifs dept as well as the DNR and I was told by both departments that there were no restrictions on paddling this section. I do know that there have been problems between paddlers and landowners in the past.
Boating vs. Fishing conflicts
New
Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Jun 23 2003, 3:11 GMT
From: sevenn
Did a nice easy run down the Chestatee from Turner's Corner to Grindle Bridge today. Eddied out for about 5 minutes while a trout fisherman played a nice trout and netted it. When we passed by him; he cussed us out, said he owned the land on both sides of the river, told us we were trespassing and the if the law would ever show up in a timely manner he would call them and have us arrested. The 'gentleman' said that the Chestatee River was a dedicated trout fishing river and that boating was not allowed.
I would like to hear from anyone who knows if he is correct. It has always been my understanding that the landowner's rights end at the river's edge, the water being a public trust.
Thanks and happy paddling.