Chattahoochee

The 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:

http://tinyurl.com/p3btg

http://maps.google.com/maps?

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