| Difficulty | III-IV(V+) |
| Length | 3.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 130 fpm |
| Gauge | Tellico River at Tellico Plains, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1.42 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 12, 2025 |
It is rumored that Conasauga Creek was run first by Mike Lewis of USA raft
The run is 1.7 miles of whitewater and 1.3 of flatwater, due to a lack of an earlier takeout at this point. From Tellico Plains, go 2.5 miles south on Highway 68. Turn onto Holly Springs Rd., which has a sign for Towee Falls Church. Proceed through this quiet mountain valley for 3 miles, bearing right at a Y, thus not crossing the creek. Continue just under half a mile to a bridge that crosses the stream. Park in the spot on the downstream river right side of the bridge just out of the way of traffic. This is the takeout and the gauge. To the putin, go back to 68 and after turning right, immediately turn right on to FR 341 to Conasauga Falls. 2.5 miles down the road there is a right turn for the Falls Trailhead. One can scout the creek from this trail. To the putin, continue past this turnoff another 2 miles to where the creek is. Putin here. There is limited parking at the putin and takeout.
Description: The creek starts right off with a 5 foot ledge best run on the right, though a more interesting line is on the left. The creek is non stop 3-3+ moves and boofs for the next 4/10 mile. The gradient for this stretch averages to 280ft/m There is an undercut half way through this section. The wood is cleaned out for now. A brief respite ensues, followed by an island. Go left, but avoid the log at the end by beaching up on the shallows on the right. Some more bends and isolated class 3 brings the paddler to the takeout eddy for the falls. If you haven't been here before, err on the side of caution.
The falls is a 35 foot cascade called Conasauga Falls, and is definitely 5+. It is a drop of LVM type nature. It can be run, but I will not explain it. Below here is a series of slides that is called Chutes and Ladders. There is a 7,12,8,and 15 foot series here, which is overall gradual in nature but still very horizon-lined and intimidating if you haven't
...The action starts about 4 paddle strokes from the putin. It is a 5 foot drop. Run it on the right or left. The left is undercut.
Just some good boulder boofing and weaving with some pins and dead ends thrown in for good measure.
You first
Bounce down just left of center on the obvious tongue, which is not so obvious at the low level the picture was taken.
Slide down the left or right, the right being more straightforward, the left with a turn halfway through.
Just a low angle slide connecting the second and fourth slides.
This is the final slide into a nice pool below. it is a beautiful view looking up from this pool.
Dec 20, 2009
We got to the take out and saw 12'. Two people we were boating with, both of whom are usually very grounded and trustworthy, told us that 14' was a good low. They had apparently been pulling beta off of this page using their iPhone and I still don't understand how they misinterpreted this beta. None of us had run Conasauga before and we were looking forward to paddling a new creek. During the paddle I remember thinking, 'This feels below minimum' .... several times.
I agree with Kirk. 14' should be considered a bare minimum. I don't think I'm ever putting on below 16-18' and I'm no high water snob. We ran Coker at a nice low or medium low level later that day. I strongly recommend that you go there if Conasauga's gauge is below 14'
Otherwise, this was a damn fun run. Can't wait to paddle it when there's actually water.
Feb 7, 2004
Jeff huckin' the first drop on river right.
Mikey going crazy on the first drop of Chutes & Ladders. Kinda shallow landing.
Nick getting some air.
Trent boofing into the second drop of Chutes & Ladders. You can see the third drop downstream.
Typical Conasauga Creek scene. Tight & technical, rarely wider than a few boatlengths.
The big eddy above the first drop of Chutes & Ladders. Nice place to take a breather & regroup.