Chestatee

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.