Chattahoochee
5 - Middle Hooch - Buford Dam to Highway 20(Bowman's Island Section)
| Difficulty | I-II(III) |
| Length | 2.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 15 fpm |
| Gauge | Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam, Near Buford, Ga |
| Flow Rate as of 29 minutes | 636 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 2, 2015 |
River Description
This attractive run, appropriate for giving beginners a taste of whitewater or a bit of low-pressure intermediate for non-release flows.
When the dam is releasing the difficulty increases to Class III+.
A siren sounds prior to opening the gates as warning to flow start. New boaters call ahead to check releases so you don't get caught. See Will Gosney's narrative below for more details.
The water quality is much better than 30 miles downstream; trout can be seen swimming along the bottom. It's COLD, since they intake the nice clear water 40 or 50 feet below the lake surface. The only hazards are strainers and the water temp. Although surrounding development has been heavy over the last decade, the river corridor there is still pristine, thanks to the Chattahoochee NRA and the efforts of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization.
Put-in is just below Buford Dam at the southern end of Lake Lanier near Buford, GA. Drive across the dam to its western end and immediately hang a left through a gate onto a steep dirt road that winds downhill to a nice park on the west bank just below the dam. There's lots of free parking, picnic area, boat ramp and restrooms. This area typically gets gated shut at dark or 5PM, with remaining cars towed away, so plan your trip accordingly.
Half a mile or so below the put-in the river is split by Bowman's Island. You can run right or left; either side takes you down a quarter mile of Class I-II shoals until the flows merge again at the southern end of the island. There's lots of big, rounded, mossy rocks to keep things interesting. Good place to practice rockspins, ferrying and midstream eddying.
Another mile or so beyond this point the river disappears around a left-hand turn marked by a large gravel bar on river left. Around that bend is the best whitewater feature on this section, where a rock ledge extends across the river. Most of the water bangs into a big obvious truck-sized boulder (the 'Hump')
...River Features
Put In
Bowman's Island
Shoals on either side of the island.
The Hump
Rock ledge extending from left bank with 2 chutes. Right chute is an S-turn; left pours into a hole.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe wave at the hump is sick! 3 of us had a party surf going for like 30 minutes straight. Plenty of room for 3 full slices to throw down. We hiked up from the new parking area at Hw 20. When we got there the river was completely covering the hump rock and then within about 30 minutes features began to show as they stopped releasing water. We had at least an hour and a half of ever changing features including several different waves and eddy lines. Great after work spot. Make sure to call ahead for release info.
Did this run yesterday at dam release at just around 1300 cfs. We went from buford dam to abbotts bridge around a 15 mile run. It took about 4-5 hours. First 8 miles or about 2 hours was great. We didn't have to paddle until we met the occasional rapid and would float quite swiftly down the river. We only went through one good rapid I believe between our 2nd and 3rd mile which was a class III which was a blast. The last two hours of the trip however we had to continuously paddle to move at a descent rate. Had a great time and would recommend only at dam releases. Also there are no rental places that are allowed to rent you a kayak or canoe 2 hours before dam release.
The parking lot at Settles Bridge has been vastly improved. There is now a nice ramp that makes getting your boat to your car much easier. We have been paddling this section of the river for five years now. The only negative we see is the increased amount of tube riders due to the opening of an outfitters on Hwy 20.
Jus a couple more comments since this came up on
the GCA list.
Google map for shuttle directions:
oi=map&q=1250+Buford+Dam+Road,+Buford,+GA+
30518
If you are a new boater and you hear the dam release
warnings what to do? If you are in an area that has
any whitewater, proceed downstream and find a good
area to exit the river for a while. Get up on the bank
above the high water lines. Do not get on a
midstream rock. The water comes up as much as 4-6
feet. If you are very near the dam, exit the river as
quickly as possible and wait for the water to come all
the way up, usually within the hour. They usually give
the warnings up to 1/2 or so hour before the release.
It usually takes 1- 1 1/2 hours for the release to reach
GA 20. After the water comes up, consider the other
notes I wrote above.
The release water usually washes most everything out
and if you know where the GA 20 rapid is, you can get
out in the large pool above and scout or walk the
rapid.
This is a great run for those really hot days in the
summer when you want to cool down. The water is
always very cold and cools the valley down a few
degrees. If it is not mid summer hot day, dress
accordingly.
Will Gosney
770-560-3600
Put in directions:
Begin traveling West on Buford Dam road from Buford toward Cumming.
While crossing the dam you will pass the closed intake parking lot on your right. There will be a hard right turn immediately after the parking lot. The dirt road to the put in is on your left in this curve. Follow the road to the boat ramp.
Call for the release schedule before putting in. The water is very cold all year.
The is the wave just to the left of The Hump at peak of 3'release. You can see the Hwy 20 bridge in the background.
This is what remains of The Hump at the peak of 3' release. Lots of undercut rocks below the surface and some squirrely currents.
A closer view of The Wave. It's about 15 feet wide and about 20 feet directly left of The Hump.
5/1/2005
We did a nice paddle from Settle's Bridge to the dam and back at minimal release. Portaged up river left channel at the rapid above GA 20. About 2.5 hrs up and 1 hr down. Easier but longer than going up Metro Hooch. Going up the river left side of Bowman's Island is easier. Very pretty - lots of fishermen near the dam.
Have done same at full release but not as pleasant - better waves to play, but freight-train current and you miss the super clear water quality of minimal release.
Welcome to the world of kayaking
... 1st Day on the river -- EXTREMELY cold water
The rapid she loved so much, she had to run it twice