| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 4.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Chattahoochee River Near Leaf, Ga |
| Flow Rate as of 34 minutes | 2.03 ftrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 18, 2023 |
RIVER DESCRIPTION
The Upper Hooch (not section 3 - thats over on the Chattooga) is a classic beginner canoeing and kayaking stream. Its relatively short, has an easy shuttle, decent scenery and fun rapids. It can be run at just about all levels from ridiculously scrapy to screaming high flood stage, depending on the boaters skills of course. At low flows its a class two stream. Around 3-4 feet on the Leaf Gage its easy Class III. Above that its class 3/4 with some huge holes.
Once upon a time during the winter of '96-97 a group of us ran the Upper Hooch at 13 feet (about 14,500 cfs) on the Cornelia Gage. Lots of moving strainers. Two massive holes in First Island rapid that were of equal size to the top holes in Insignificant on the Gauley. The rock outcrop on the right at second ledge was a giant pourover. Third ledge was washed out. We ran it twice before the Hall and White County rescue squads closed down the river. Probably a good thing--three other groups put on and hiked/swam off. Lots of canoes wrapped around trees that day.
Flow Info: (NOTE - we have begun using the Leaf Gage rather than the Cornelia gage on this page as of 2/15/15 because it better reflects the flow experinced on this reach)
For the Leaf Gage, consider the following advice:
4 = High water, additional skill required (III/IV), not good for beginners.
Parking Info: The put-in and take-out is Georgia State Park land, and requires either a daily pass ($5) or an annual pass.
Wildwood Outfitters has an outpost at the take-out and will shuttle you and your boat to the put-in for $7. The outpost is usually
...Multiple routes on both sides of the island. Big holes develop on the right side of the island at high water. At lower flows most people run the narrow channel on the left of the island.
Rock on river right above the Lunch Beach. Good surf wave with a huge eddy on the bottom right.
At flows above 2500 cfs or over about 4 feet a dangerous low head dam type hole forms on the right side of this rapid. This one is easy to see coming due to the long pool above it and the large rock outcrop on river right. Run left or right at most water levels.
Fun, shallow side surfing hole. At flows around 3 feet the center of the hole can hold swimmers for a dangerously long time. Easy to skirt the center on either side.
Another long wide shoal rapid. At higher flows there is great surfing everywhere in this one!
A long riverwide shoal, with a sandy beach at the bottom on river left. Lots of fun small waves and holes thru the shoals.
Run left to right. Big pool at the bottom.
long fun shoal rapids with some good surfing opportunities.
Just downstream of the takeout, below the bridge, is one last ledge. There are a series of holes on the right, and a wave on the left. At low flows there is an island in the middle. Play your brains out, then paddle back up the 100 yards to the take-out.
Feb 11, 2022
Fairly new to paddling and I find this section pretty fun. Ran as low as 2ft, high as 2.8ft. Both levels were decent. No strainers observed on my last outing.
Jul 21, 2020
Ran it recently at 1.9 / 280 cfs on the Leaf gauge. I would not want to run it any lower. I was getting hung up on rocks all over the place. Hard to find clean lines thru anything.
May 31, 2020
Ran from 255 to Duncan Bridge 5-30-2020 in a tandem canoe with Ted Harrigan, at 2.5 level. The way the water channels at this level, made maneuvering difficult for a tandem canoe and created a lot of force in the channels. A little more water would have made it easier and safer, for a tandem canoe. Said rock did eat our canoe.
Aug 12, 2019
For more recent information about this section of the 'Upper Hooch' go to this Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1635943616667976/
Mar 18, 2014
Thanks for the feedback on the ratings of the upper hooch. Since I have not made this run I rely on feed back from people to properly describe & rate this section. If you ever have an interest in becoming a stream keeper and correcting out of date info on rivers you paddle please contact me. David. Strive2@ymail.com