Chattooga, |
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| Usual Difficulty | II-V (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Avg. Gradient | 38 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 125 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHATTOOGA RIVER AT BURRELLS FORD,NR PINE MTN,GA | ||||
| usgs-02176930 | 200 - 1000 cfs | II-V | 00h44m | 345 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) |
Forest Service takes away boating this winter. After a request for a stay of implementation by Georgia Forest Watch the Forest Service met their first deadline since our 2004 appeal by rapidly granting a stay before even considering AW's comments.
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Conservation-oriented kayakers and canoeists sought protection in federal court from an illegal decision by the United States Forest Service involving the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. The USFS decision, which was the culmination of a 2004 administrative appeal by American Whitewater, makes it a federal crime for paddlers to float the northernmost 21 miles of the River and its tributaries except on a limited seven-mile section during 6 or less days per year.
These severe restrictions are the only of their kind in the entire Unites States, and are intended to benefit anglers who pursue heavily stocked non-native trout. The artificial fishery created by the USFS-sanctioned stocking has significant impacts including hatchery pollution, backcountry helicopter disturbances, near elimination of native brook trout, user created angling trails, and the elimination of nature based paddling from the upper Chattooga River. Ironically, the USFS decision actually harms anglers across the Country by creating potential competition for wild rivers that are currently shared by all forms of backcountry recreationists, and by degrading the rights of anglers to fish from a boat.
This section of the Chattooga is currently illegal to paddle based on a string of arbitrary decisions made by the Sumter National Forest. The Chief of the Forest Service in granting AW's appeal stated:
"...the record provided to me does not contain the evidence to continue the boating ban, his decision is not consistent with the direction in Section 10(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act or Sections 2(a) and 4(b) of the Wilderness Act or agency regulations implementing these Acts."
AW has been working for a decade to bring responsible, nationally consistent river management to the Chattooga, and this work continues today.
Forest. The Chief of the Forest Service in granting AW's appeal stated:
"...the record provided to me does not contain the evidence to continue the boating ban, his decision is not consistent with the direction in Section 10(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act or Sections 2(a) and 4(b) of the Wilderness Act or agency regulations implementing these Acts."
AW has been working for a decade to bring responsible, nationally consistent river management to the Chattooga, and this work continues today.
For more information about American Whitewater's efforts to remove this boating ban go to the Chattooga Project page
This page was put together from information gained during the Forest Service Boater Trials as shown in this video and Trip Report.
The upper approximately 2.5 miles of the run is swift water and gradually increased in difficulty culminating in a few Class III ledge drops just upstream of Big Bend Falls. At moderate flows, these drops are easy to approach, scout and run from a boat. Stop on the river right above Big Bend Falls, at approximately Mile 3. The Big Bend Falls rapid is a river-wide waterfall made up of a series of smaller ledges dropping approximately 25 feet. Mile 4 included a number of Class III to IV read-and-run rapids. At approximately Mile 5, you reach four approximately Class IV rapids above the Rock Gorge. The Rock Gorge consists of a series of Class 4 rapids closely spaced in a narrow canyon. Following the Rock Gorge, and approximately 1 mile upstream of Lick Log Creek, the river returns to Class I and swift water. The next five miles to the 28 bridge consists entirely of swift water. The total run time is about 5 hours.(adapted from FS Expert Panel Report)
This run is the best scenic run on the Chattooga. The moss covered rock cliffs along the sides, relatively open vistas from the water, and relaxed nature of the trip makes this a wonderful way to spend the day on the water. The rapids are all significant so its a long flatwater trip if you don't have Class V skills.
Shuttle Directions
Start at 28 Boaters Put In located approximately 1.4 miles south of the 28 Bridge. Go south on Hwy 28 approximately 7 miles to Hwy 107. Turn left and go 10 miles to Burrell's Ford Road. Turn left and go 2.6 miles to the Burrell's Ford Bridge.
Emergency Locations
| Big Bend Trailhead | N34°57.006' | W83°06.870' |
| Rock-in the-Hole-in the-Wall | N34°56.509' | W83°07.237' |
| Lick Log Creek Trailhead | N34°55.821' | W83°07.878' |
Reach Profile
Related Reaches
Chattooga Cliffs (AKA Section
00)
Woody Debris
This section of the Chattooga has special concerns about large woody debris for fish habitat. Please respect the environment and leave wood as you find it, even if it adds a portage. The Chattooga has a remarkable ability to clean itself and the rapid may be ready next time.
For more information about woody debris in rivers go to Large Woody Debris and Stream Ecology
The gage is at Burrell's Ford bridge. There are two staff gages now that the USGS installed a full gaging station. The one on the upstream piling is the one linked to the internet. A reading on the upstream gage of 1.95 is approximately equal to the arbitrary FS minimum level of 450 cfs. Minimum boatable levels are 1.4 ft and upper limits are likely around 2.8 ft on the upper gage.
Correlation information is needed to develop better guidelines. If you are visiting Burrell's Ford, please report readings on the upstram staff gage below the bridge (date, time, level) on the SC side using the "Add a Comment" button at the bottom of this page.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHATTOOGA RIVER AT BURRELLS FORD,NR PINE MTN,GA | ||||||||||||||||
| usgs-02176930 | 200 - 1000 cfs | II-V | 00h44m | 345 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) | ||||||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattooga [GA] |
cliff
|
n/a | Kevin Pickens | |
| Chattooga [GA] |
(RM) No Boating Above Hwy 28
|
n/a | Robert Maxwell | |
| Chattooga [GA] |
Big Bend Falls
|
1.6-1.6 at Burls | Brian Jacobson | |
| Chattooga [GA] |
One of the Drops in the Rock Gorge
|
Runnable | Milt Aitken | |
| Chattooga Section 1 [GA] |
Big Bend Falls
|
n/a | Don Kinser | |
| 9d00h14m | @Chattooga Rock Gorge - Burrells Ford to Highway 28 Bridge [GA] |
USFS Sign
|
n/a | Brian Jacobson |
| 2y322d05h44m | Chattooga [GA] |
Maytag Line
|
1.5 (Burls) | Brian Jacobson |
| 3y103d05h44m | Chattooga [NC] |
(RM) Boating Ban Sticker
|
n/a | Robert Maxwell |
| 3y210d05h44m | Chattooga [GA] |
Chattooga Section 1 Big Bend
|
n/a | Mark Singleton |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Burrell's Ford |  | |
| 2.7 | Big Bend Falls | 5.1 |  |
| 4.5 | Rock-in the-Hole-in the-Wall | IV+ |  |
| 5.2 | Maytag | 5.0 | |
| 5.6 | Harvey Wallbanger | IV | |
| 5.8 | Upper Big Hairy Bastard | IV | |
| 5.9 | Lower Big Hairy Bastard | IV | |
| 7.4 | Lick Log Creek Trail |  | |
| 11.3 | 28 Bridge |  |
Significant drop signaled by a rocky slide upstream. A rock resides in the middle of the hole in the bottom of the drop. Run to either edge of the hole.
Drop into a large hole that is backed up by a rock that intensifies hole quickly with higher water. Trees tend to hang up here. There is an alternate route down river right if needed. Low Water
Converging water feeds into rock wall on left shore Low Water
Report covering the recreation users, use, economic impacts, and economic benefits of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.
Letters in opposition of paddling on the Chattooga from Paul Broun, Robin Hayes and J. Gresham Barrett - Congressional Representatives
River Alert
State News
State News
River Links
NWRI - Chattooga Rock Gorge - Burrell's Ford to Highway 28 Bridge (mobile)
User Comments
administrator.
76 about 6 ft, just to have a look. A ranger, Dave Heddon, drove up warn us that boating above Hwy
28 was illegal. He said he drove around on high water days looking to bust boaters trying to poach
a run. Fine for 1st offense would be $150, more after that. He wrote down our tag #'s as souvenirs.
Word to the wise.
Date: Oct 17 2002, 15:41 GMT
The consequences of getting caught are significant. You can either violate the law by paddling
without a permit, or violate the terms of a permit by paddling above Highway 28. Or, I suppose you
could be charged with fraudulence in filling out the permit. Most people that get caught don't have
a permit, so they are charged with paddling on the Wild & Scenic River without a permit.
The enforcing authority is Sumter Forest Service.
It'll be tried in Federal Court as it is a Federal Offense. The penalty specified is up to 6 months
in jail and $5000 fine. Also, they can confiscate your equipment.
Of course, they have a scale of typical penalties for first, second, and repeated offenses. The
first will probably be a small fine of $100 or $200 or so. If there are aggravating circumstances
(i.e. you piss them off) and you don't get a lawyer, it could be worse. Lawyers that work in
Federal Court are more expensive and less common also.
If you run it and get caught, it will probably be because of one of two reasons:
1. You left a shuttle vehicle that looked like a boating vehicle at one end or the other.
2. Someone (most likely an angler) reported you.
This time of year, you are very likely to see someone on the shore. There are fishing trails and
they get used often. Some anglers like solitude and view boaters as an intrusion. Some are very
adamant about it. After all, the river is there for them and we're not allowed. Why should they
give it up, right?
If the rangers know you're on the river, they will wait for you at the takeout. They will wait well
into the night and will get less and less tolerant as it gets later.
If you get caught, it will not help our cause. However, whether or not you got caught, AW needs
your anonymous trip report to help describe the run and boating's impact on the Wilderness
experience. So, e-mail your trip report, even if it's old, to Jason.
Section 0 has a significant class 5 on it. The rest is class 3 at ordinary flow.
Section 1 has a bunch of 4/5 stuff. Both must have run at yesterday's levels. They run with a
little less water than Overflow.
Don't ask me how I know all this.