Tallapoosa
Thurlow Dam to boat ramp
| Difficulty | II-IV |
| Length | 1.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 19 fpm |
| Gauge | Tallapoosa River at Milstead Al |
| Flow Rate as of 46 minutes | 2.30 ftrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 15, 2014 |
River Description
The Tallapoosa is a short, dam-release whitewater river. The put in resembles a lake and some boaters have mistaken it as the wrong river. The takeout is a public boat ramp below the Falls. The river was once similar to Great Falls of the Potomac but now most of the gradient is under a lake. Portions of the Class V+ at the base of Thurlow Dam (as well as the dam) have been run.
This is one of the few Alabama rivers that is runnable all year long. Alabama power maintains a minimum flow of 1270 cfs (1 turbine on Thurlow Dam), which makes for a technical, but doable run. If you run the Falls at this level your main option is boofing 'The Finger.' Half the art and science of catching bigger water runs on Tallapoosa can be figured out by watching for releases on Yates Dam, which is just upstream of Thurlow. A one turbine release on Yates (for more than 1 hour) = 5,000 cfs+ (or more) on Tallapoosa. Two turbines on Yates (for more than 1 hour) = 10,000 cfs+ on Tallapoosa. Alabama power changes the schedule daily, so it's best to check both Yates and Thurlow before you head out: https://apcshorelines.com/our-lakes/
River Levels
1277 cfs. - Scrapy, not a lot of play. Falls are still fun, but use caution. Good, forgiving level for beginners.
5000-7000 cfs - Some play spots develop. Good for intermediate level paddlers
10000 cfs - Big holes and wave trains develop. Play spots start to get good. Having a reliable roll, good ferrying skills and the ability to read water is a must at this level and up.
11000-13000 cfs - Excellent play spots and surf waves.
The Tallapoosa starts off as flat water and quickly hits the fall line. The river has numerous good play spots that are playable at various water levels. Most of the Tallapoosa is an easy class II+ run on a big open river. About ¼ mile from the dam look for Sticky Hole on the left 1/3 of the river. If you
...River Features
Put In
Sticky Hole (High Water)
Sticky hole only comes into play at higher levels.
Tallapoosa Falls
While the falls is technically easy, it is chock full of potholes, caves, pinning spots and other hazards. Those unfamiliar with the lines should scout well. The lower the water the worse the hazards. You may see a nice looking boof next to a tree towards the middle. The rock is rough and does not boof well.
Takeout Rapid
At 5,000 cfs this makes a lovely surf wave. At 1,270 cfs there are a few options you can take. Far river left there is an s-turn move, most of the other option at this level are 1-2 foot drops through the last broken ledge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportOn April 30, 2025 I noticed Alabama Power was running minimum flow over a gate at Thurlow so I went out on the bridge to look at the rapids directly below the dam. They had divers in the water doing inspections so they had all generators off and I found out they would be doing that for a couple of days. I got in touch with a friend of mine, Erik Amason and showed him some videos and pics I got of the rapids and we decided to meet up the next day and run a few lines there that I have now been told had never been ran before. We put in at the ramp and paddled up to the rocks below the dam and gave the rapids a good look and decided they were good to go. Erik walked up to the base of the dam and got the first run on the main line right down the middle. I soon followed and got the second run down that main line. Erik also ran a creeky line with 2 big drops (10-12 footers) that was reminiscent of something you'd see in Western North Carolina.
There's a lovely island campsite between the falls and the end of the sneak that can be accessed from the takeout. It's a great spot for lunch or a campout if for whatever reason you want to spend a night in Tallassee. It's usually occupied by a friendly, although heavily drug influenced group of locals who are rough in demeanor but ultimately harmless.
Tyler runs the left line at Tallapoosa Falls
At the base of what was Talisi Falls, often referred to as 'The Great Falls of the South'
Water seldom flows over these massive rocks, once called 'The Great Falls of the South'
Erosion caused by turbulent waters and rock fragments
Some play spots begin to form at 5000 cfs
A long rapid through a stretch of broken ledges above the sneak, on river left. Don't get too far off line or you might get munched by one of the many holes which flanks the tongue of this rapid.
Sticky Hole is a really fun hole. It's good from around 10000 cfs and up.
'The Takeout' (shown here) is a good park n play spot when the dam is releasing around 5,000. Different holes appear all across the riverwide ledge, depending on how much the 'pool' has filled up.