Apalachee

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!

I paddled this in a canoe with a friend some 30 years ago so I can't speak to the Hwy441 access as of 2013. What I can tell you is despite the terrain map look or the appearance of water on satellite, you CANNOT paddle from 441 to Lake Oconee. About 4-5 miles below shoals, water becomes swampy and it is that way for a couple miles...map shows a Timber Bridge Rd (dirt) and that is last thing that resembles a road for access. Go past the old iron bridge frame (visible in satellite image) and you are likely to be walking in a swamp with three feet of mud rather than paddling..

I just went out to the shoals last weekend. The gate is still up on Old Madison Hwy, but I didn't see any no trespassing signs for the road there. It is clear the logging companies don't want you to trespass in the forests, but I think that is more to keep hunters out. The bridge access at 441 is still accessible from any side. The Madison county side has a concrete pad with a dirt road that leads under the bridge. I made it down with a 2wd truck, and there was a sedan already down there that made it out with no trouble. It looks like the best bet is to put in at the bridge and take out at the beach area below the shoals. You can park a car on Old Madison above the gate. Just be ready for a 1/4-1/2 mile hike uphill on a gravel road. I will post some pictures of the shoals. The water was low when I went, but it looks like it could be fun.

These are some pictures of the shoals I took last weekend. There is a small wave train above a pool (surfing wave at higher water). The pool empties into two small drops, both of these flood out at higher water to form the blasting hole. I also included a picture of the pot leaf painted on the rocks. I am assuming this is where the shoals got their name.

The forum is a brighter place thanks to your posts. Thakns!

Went this past weekend. Put in at Price Mill Road and paddled to 441 bridge. Bit of a long drag down a big hill at Price Mill, but wasnt bad. Water flowed well first 2-3 miles but then slowed down considerably. Flowing about 61 cfs I believe. Had to pick up and drag about 5 times.

Took out at 441. Washouts on access were kinda rough, but a 2wd truck made it down. Would not want to attempt this aftter a rain though. We did not paddle down any farther than 441, but in my canoe guide it talks about a take out 1 mile past 441.

Local sources tell me that there is a road that leads to the river there (Old Madison Hwy??), but a timber company has gated the road about 1/4 mile from river. To my knowledge the road is still public and it will be a long drag, but free to use.

I dont know how they got approval to gate a public road?

Kevin: I don't think they got approval; they just did it and it hasn't been challenged yet. Pot Leaf shoals was a classic park and play spot.

Went looking for access today and found that most all roads leading anywhere near the playspot are gated and locked. Might be accessable from bridge on 441 but otherwise no other roads open to public.

AW received a report today 12/8/04 that the access to this section has been closed.

'I found on your web site a cool play spot on the Appalachee River that is close enough to get in my boat and get wet without driving far. Well, I went there today and a person has bought all the land from the bridge on 441/129 all the way down and has posted several gates with the Classic 'NO Trespassing' signs. I talked with locals and he does not live there, but to be safe in the backwoods of Georgia I would rather not take my chance with the law. I thought I would try further upstream, but there would be no way to hike my boat out without stepping on this guys property due to the fact that he bought both sides of the river.'

If you have more information, please notify AW at kevin@amwhitewater.org.

Blasting Hole is best between 175-400 cfs
Best between 175-400 cfs.