Tesnatee Creek
Town Creek Road to Copper Mine
| Difficulty | I-II(IV) |
| Length | 9.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Chestatee River Near Dahlonega, Ga |
| Flow Rate as of 43 minutes | 145 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 6, 2006 |
River Description
Sources: A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to Georgia, S. Welander, B. Sehlinger and D. Otey (2004); Northern Georgia Canoeing, B. Sehlinger and D. Otey (1980).
Tesnatee Creek is a major tributary of the Chestatee, located mostly in White County. The last mile or so is in Lumpkin County and the confluence of the Tesnatee and the Chestatee is less than a quarter mile below the Chestatee's Grindle Falls.
The Tesnatee makes for a pleasant day trip with Class I-II rapids and one portage around a dam and Class IV Testnatee Falls. Like most north Georgia streams, the Tesnatee is experiencing an increase in housing and a decrease in nature along its banks. There is still plenty of forest, however, along with occasional 20-30 foot rock walls.
The navigable portion of the Tesnatee is generally considered to begin at Town Creek Road in White County. When the water is high (probably above 850 cfs or so), an additional 1.8 mile section above Town Creek Road becomes runnable. To reach this higher section, turn off Town Creek Road onto Charlie Thomas Road about 200 yards east of the Town Creek Road Bridge. Charlie Thomas Road parallels the creek and ends at Testnatee Gap Valley Road. The creek can be accessed at the culvert/bridge or just upstream of the culvert/bridge from the field road on river left.
The usual put-in is at Town Creek Road: the gold and gem business on river right just upstream of the bridge will generally permit parking, but make sure to ask permission. (Note: this is NOT the same Town Creek Road that accesses the Chestatee in Lumpkin County.)
The next potential access is at Gene Nix Road, 2.1 miles downstream of the put-in. The area surrounding the bridge at Gene Nix Road has seen a lot of recent development, however, so available parking is minimal. Property owners near the bridge are not thrilled about boaters on the river. Access at Gene Nix Road should generally be limited to drop-and-drive.
The last potential access bef
...River Features
Town Creek Road
After asking permission, park and put in at the business just above the bridge on river right.
Gene Nix Road
An alternate put-in or take-out, but minimal parking and surrounded by private property.
Tesnatee Dam
You'll hear the roar and see the horizon line, the concrete walls coming off each bank and the generator building just downriver of the dam. A mandatory portage for most. To portage both the dam and Tesnatee Falls, use right bank. To portgage the dam and run Tesnatee Falls, scout from right bank but portage on left. If you run the dam, beware of a vertically pinned log near river center. CAUTION: the intake pipe for the generator is behind a screen on river right, just upstream of the dam - beware of suction caused by the intake pipe and take out well upriver of it.
Tesnatee Falls
A serious rocky slide just below the dam. Scout both for the best line and for wood. Avoid the rock outcropping on river right.
Far Winds Bridge
A modern concrete bridge spanning the creek. The bridge, the road on it and both banks are private property: keep off except in case of emergency. If necessary, follow the road to the right through the gate and out to Sandy Ford Road.
Sandy Ford Road
An alternative put-in/take-out where the creek abuts Sandy Ford Road. Short but steep bank and parking for only 2-3 cars.
Chestatee confluence
Tesnatee Creek flows into Chestatee River. Continue downstream to Copper Mine or paddle upstream less than a quarter mile on the Chestatee to reach Grindle Falls from below.
Copper Mine
Take out river left, below the bridge and either above or below Copper Mine rapid. To avoid rapid, run to the right of island just below the bridge, then turn left below island and take out at wash on left bank. From below the rapid, go to beach area on river left below the old steel bridge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAnyone know if the landowner is still allowing the portage around the dam and Tesnatee falls?
Tesnatee Falls rated as III in Canoeing & Kayaking Georgia.
New Streamkeeper: Rick Bellows, chestateer@yahoo.com.