Amicalola Creek

Edge of the World is the largest and most well known rapid on the Lower Amicalola. During summer months, you will typically find the locals camped out on the ledges of the rapid and swimming the lines, reminiscent of Bull Sluice. At levels of 1.1- 1.3 this rapid is a solid III+, dropping approximately 40 feet in the span of 75 yards. At this level, the moves are mostly slots and make a good training rapid for beginners working on their creeking moves. Its a good park and huck also paddling down from bridge and running laps. At levels of 1.4-1.8 +/-, the water becomes much pushier and the level bumps up to a solid IV. At levels over 1.8, the classic lines begin to wash out and new hydraulics develop. If you are accustomed to running this rapid at the classic level of 1.1-1.5, this is a definite re-scout over 1.8. You will recognize the start of this rapid by the well-defined horizon line and large amount of wood present at the top center and right of the rapid. If water level is high get out on sandy beach area 300 yards or so before rapids on left. There is a boardwalk and you can walk down and scout.The rapid consists of two widely spaced ledges followed by a six foot near vertical drop and then a series of slides. Classic line is to run 20ft +/- off the left bank. Hit the first ledge with some left angle to catch the eddy or some right angle to continue down stream. Follow the moving water towards the second ledge and either run it straight or hit the boof, at levels over 1.2, (this ledge is the one that becomes the problem at higher levels). Be aware of the boat gouging line to the left of the boof. After this, run hard to the right bank and hit the vertical slot. Move left and run the final slide . At levels over 1.4 or so, it is possible to run the slide to the left of the vertical slot. Additionally, the river left line below the second ledge is runnable but not advisable due to a large amount of wood and an undercut rock on the left bank. If you catch the level right, a good surf wave develops below the second ledge and before the vertical slot.

This is the next big rapid after EOTW. You will see a waterfall on your right, then a island. Stay to the right and then run at  the wall, it is defined by a pretty large sloping rock face on the river right bank. The line is straightforward. Run hard to the right bank and then move to the left of the downstream rock

Split decision is made up of three chutes divided by large boulders in the streambed. The left chute is a tight slide into a pillow that immediately banks right. There are often trees in this line so scouting should take place before you run it. The center line runs down onto a boulder where if you hit it correctly can give you a nice boof. The right line is a slide that banks left at the end. If you are skilled and willing to work a little you can run all three lines without too much diffuculty. At higher levels, this rapid becomes a definite scout due to the possibility of pinned wood in the chutes. Neither bank is great to scout from, but the right bank does give a better view of the line.

Rooster Tail is nothing more then a huge slide with good lines on the right and left sides when levels are 1.0-1.7+. The rapid gets its IV rating from the presence of a potential keeper hydraulic that develops at higher water levels 2.0+ The rapid is easily scouted from the left bank and the hole is easily avoidable. Right below here on the right there is a great surf wave and a little futher down on the left there is a sandy beach.