Tellico, Tennessee, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV (varies with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 130 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 160 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TELLICO RIVER AT TELLICO PLAINS, TN | ||||
| usgs-03518500 | 280 - 1500 cfs | III-IV | 00h17m | 283 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) |
It can be run lower than this, but it gets scrapy and it's not the same river as at the "normal" levels. |
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Warning!
In the light of the recent fatality on the Tellico and a
subsequent near-miss, members of the victim's party have requested that strong warnings be placed
on the Tellico page (section 2) as follows:
The top drops in the Ledges section (Top Ledge, Middle Ledge, and Baby Falls) become extremely
retentive at levels over 1000 cfs (3.5 ft--editor's note). They should be warned that a
paddler was killed on January 1, 2011 at the first ledge. Water levels were very high. Also, in
my opinion, the Ledges should be considered Class IV+ at these levels.
Thanks!
Charlie Walbridge
Link to
accident report from January 1, 2011
GAUGE INFO:
Low 250 cfs
Good 500-800 cfs
High 1000+ cfs
At higher flows, the last 1/2 mile of the Upper Tellico becomes significantly more difficult than
the upper portion.
Conversion from feet to cfs, from Julie Keller:
1.9 305 cfs 3.5 998 cfs 2.0 330 cfs 4.0 1250 cfs 2.2 403 cfs 4.5 1515 cfs 2.5 526 cfs 5.0 1800 cfs 2.7 618 cfs 6.0 2400 cfs 3.0 770 cfs 7.0 3150 cfs
The minimum suggested level, 1.8 ft, is about 280 cfs. The Upper Tellico can be run much lower
(down to 150 cfs) but it is not the same river. No push, lots of scraping, lots of rocks. 300 cfs
is an enjoyable low level.
Overview:
The Upper Tellico, also known as the "Ledges" section, is only two miles in length, but
the significant whitewater makes it seem longer. A parallel road makes scouting and shuttling
easy and this section can be run several times in one day. The Upper Tellico has great scenery,
great water, and good drops. This is a classic southeastern whitewater--please don't take this
gem for granted!
Rapid Descriptions:
Major Rapids:
Top Ledge
(III)
Dirty S (III)
Middle Ledge
(III)
Cry Baby
(III)
Baby Falls
(III+)
Diaper
Wiper(III+)(bottom of rapid looking back upstream- - Baby Falls in background)
Jared's Knee
(III+ to IV)
The put-in consists of bumpy class II water that brings you to a series of ledges after passing
under the first bridge. With a low level, these ledges can mostly be boat scouted to find the
best route. At higher flows it's best that you already know your line. The Top Ledge is a
six-foot drop that shouldn't present any problems, although river right should be avoided because
a pinning potential exists here. You can see the piton/pin rock in this picture. The
rock is just under the ledge at the far left of the picture.
Next is Dirty S, named for the way you run this class III drop. Middle Ledge (III)
is an eight foot plunge with an automatic boof if
run towards river right. There is plenty of calm water between these drops, so they shouldn't
surprise you.
After these ledges, you will encounter more class II water and a sharp bend to the left in the
river brings you to a short class II+ rapid. Immediately after this rapid be on the lookout for a
horizon line. This is Baby Falls (III+ to IV), a 15-foot drop into a pool. Eddy on river right and scout
your line. If you run far right, you will practically land into an eddy. If you run the middle,
you better have some speed, and the left side offers a sweet boof into the
pool below. If you portage, do it on river left. (This is true for all the rapids on the Upper
section.) From the pool below Baby Falls you can see Diaper Wiper (class III, IV at higher
levels), the next rapid. Run the Wiper far right for first-timers. When you are comfortable with
this rapid, you can run it against the river left bank (pic
shows looking up from bottom of rapid). The left route will
push you into a pillow of water at the bottom, where you'll make a 90 degree turn to the right
and head back into the middle of the river. This rapid can be run several ways, but the far right
line is easiest at first. Avoid the middle because of a large pinning rock
midway through the rapid (shown at the far right of this picture).
Shortly after the Wiper you will see Bald River Falls come in on river left. Pay attention, because the action is
about to pick up. About a half mile below Bald River Falls you
will enter the first rapid of Jared's Knee(III-IV). There are three distinct rapids at normal flows with the
actual Jared's Knee rapid making up the fourth. At higher flows, these three rapids become one
big rapid, so make sure you know where you are. At the bottom of Jared's
Knee there is an undercut rock on river left, use caution here (undercut is on Louie's left
in the picture). There have been several good pics of Jared's Knee posted below, check them out
to get a good picture of the entire rapid. After this rapid it is only a short way to the
take-out bridge. This marks the end of the Upper section. More class III fun awaits on the lower
run.
Hazards:
The Upper Tellico is pretty clean. With the exception of the undercut on river left at Jared's
Knee there are no major hazards of this type. Strainers aren't common except after huge storms.
Always scout drops if you can't see clearly to the bottom of the rapid.
Boats:
First-timers will probably be more comfortable in creek boats, but experienced boaters make this
run in everything.
Put-in and Take-out:
Located in Tellico Plains, TN. Follow TN 68 until you get to Tellico Plains. After you get into
Tellico Plains, pick up TN 165 which will take you to the river. The road will split, stay right
(still on TN 165). There will be a parking lot on the right side called "Oosterneck."
This is the lower run takeout. Passing this parking area, the road will split again. Again stay
right. This road parallels the Tellico all the way. You will cross a bridge and see Bald River
Falls on your right (80+ feet) with the Tellico on your left. Continue up the road until you
cross another bridge. Shortly there will be a pull-off on your right. This is the put-in. The
take-out is the bridge after Jared's Knee. For a bit longer trip, boat the class III water below
Jared's and take out at Turkey Creek, part of the Lower Tellico run.
Additional Info:
Thanks to Julie Keller for the beautiful photographs...
See more of Julie Keller's great
photographs here.
See Julie Keller's excellent
article for more info.
If you have any other questions or comments, email me:
danielfosbinder@gmail.com
See also Trout Hatchery to Bridge
above Bald River (Class II-III),
Bridge below Jerod's Knee to Ranger
Station (Lower Tellico) (Class II-III), and
Ranger Station to Tellico Plains
(Class I-III).
Low 250 cfs
Good 500-800 cfs
High 1000+ cfs
At higher flows, the last 1/2 mile of the Upper Tellico becomes significantly more difficult than the upper portion. However:
Warning!
In the light of the recent fatality on the Tellico and a subsequent near-miss, members of the victim's party have requested that strong warnings be placed on the Tellico page (section 2) as follows:
The top drops in the Ledges section (Top Ledge, Middle Ledge, and Baby Falls) become extremely retentive at levels over 1000 cfs (3.5 ft--editor's note). They should be warned that a paddler was killed on January 1, 2011 at the first ledge. Water levels were very high. Also, in my opinion, the Ledges should be considered Class IV+ at these levels.
Thanks!
Charlie Walbridge
Link to accident report from January 1, 2011
Conversion from feet to cfs, from Julie Keller:
1.9 305 cfs 3.5 998 cfs 2.0 330 cfs 4.0 1250 cfs 2.2 403 cfs 4.5 1515 cfs 2.5 526 cfs 5.0 1800 cfs 2.7 618 cfs 6.0 2400 cfs 3.0 770 cfs 7.0 3150 cfs
The minimum suggested level, 1.8 ft, is about 280 cfs. The Upper Tellico can be run much lower (down to 150 cfs) but it is not the same river. No push, lots of scraping, lots of rocks. 300 cfs is an enjoyable low level. (Please read comments about the change in opinion on the minimum levels this river is runnable).
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TELLICO RIVER AT TELLICO PLAINS, TN | ||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-03518500 | 280 - 1500 cfs | III-IV | 00h17m | 283 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) | ||||||||||||||||
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It can be run lower than this, but it gets scrapy and it's not the same river as at the "normal" levels. |
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Top Ledge | III |  |
| 0.3 | Dirty S | III | |
| 0.4 | Middle Ledge | III | |
| 0.5 | Cry Baby | N/A | |
| 0.6 | Baby Falls | III+ |   |
| 0.7 | Diaper Wiper | III+ | |
| 1.3 | Jared's Knee | IV | |
(RM) 1st LedgeThe put-in consists of bumpy class II water that brings you to a series of ledges after passing under the first bridge. With a low level, these ledges can mostly be boat scouted to find the best route. At higher flows it's best that you already know your line. The Top Ledge is a six-foot drop that shouldn't present any problems, although river right should be avoided because a pinning potential exists here.
Note: these drops become much more difficult and dangerous at high levels (~1000 cfs, IV+). Top Ledge develops into a terminal hydraulic, guarded by the downstream rocks on the right; it was the site of a high-water fatality on Jan. 1, 2011.
Secret SlotNext is Dirty S, named for the way you run this class-III drop.
8 ft ledgeMiddle Ledge (III) is an eight-foot plunge with an automatic boof if run towards river right. At normal water levels, there is plenty of calm water between Dirty S and this drop, so it shouldn't surprise you.
(RM) Cry Baby - Left Line
Gordon Byrd running Baby FallsAfter these ledges, you will encounter more class II water and a sharp bend to the left in the river brings you to a short class II+ rapid. Immediately after this rapid be on the lookout for a horizon line. This is Baby Falls (III+ to IV), a 15-foot drop into a pool. Eddy on river right and scout your line. If you run far right, you will practically land into an eddy. If you run the middle, you better have some speed, and the left side offers a sweet boof into the pool below. If you portage, do it on river left. (This is true for all the rapids on the Upper section.)
Cliff Knight left line Diaper WiperFrom the pool below Baby Falls you can see Diaper Wiper (class III, IV at higher levels), the next rapid. Run the Wiper far right for first-timers. When you are comfortable with this rapid, you can run it against the river-left bank (pic shows looking up from bottom of rapid). The left route will push you into a pillow of water at the bottom, where you'll make a 90-degree turn to the right and head back into the middle of the river. This rapid can be run several ways, but the far right line is easiest at first. Avoid the middle because of a large pinning rock midway through the rapid (shown at the far right of this picture).
(RM) Jerrod's Knee from the bottomShortly after the Wiper you will see Bald River Falls come in on river left. Pay attention, because the action is about to pick up. About a half mile below Bald River Falls you will enter the first rapid of Jared's Knee (III-IV). There are three distinct rapids at normal flows with the actual Jared's Knee rapid making up the fourth. At higher flows, these three rapids become one big rapid, so make sure you know where you are. At the bottom of Jared's Knee there is an undercut rock on river left; use caution here (undercut is on Louie's left in the picture). There have been several good pics of Jared's Knee posted below, check them out to get a good picture of the entire rapid. After this rapid it is only a short way to the take-out bridge.
reach
state
reachlink
2. Bridge above Bald River to bridge below Jared's Knee, Tellico Tennessee, US (mobile)
User Comments
the same place but there's a snag that's impossible to see from the surface at +2.1 feet (and
possibly lower levels). The snag is in the middle of the river where the two main flows meet up
just below cry-baby at the entrance to the large pool above the entrance to Baby Falls. Events
earlier today demonstrated that it poses a serious threat even when it is not visible. A quick
response by those around helped prevent what might have been a serious incident when a kayaker was
pinned in his boat by the snag.
interferes with both lines. Please scout and use extreme caution at any water level!
were used yesterday to remove a river wide log at the bottom of Crack in the Rock. This log was 2'
above water level in swift current, and not visible when river scouting. It is now at rest in the
eddy river right. Thanks to AW, TVCC and AARPRR members Jim and Jeff. Katie Larue
with the road). If you do decide to huck Bald River Falls, be VERY careful on the climb up on the
right side and lowering yourself into the pool below. The slipping potential combined with the
rock-landing could be disastrous. I and several others have run BRF at levels down to 1.4, in both
creekers and playboats, so the thing is almost always good to go. Recently, a vertical pin occured
at Jared's Knee by actually going too far to the right, close to the undercut on river right at
lower levels. Footage of where this pin is is available at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6L5W13zYxY , courtesy of Adam Willard.
It extends from the undercut boulder on the left diagonally downstream to the chute on the right
side of the boof rock, fully across the normal line. It was mostly submerged and somewhat difficult
to see at 2.1 feet on the gage. Only the upstream trunk and downstream branches were visible. Local
boaters report this tree had been lodged upstream in a less hazardous location. It presumably moved
in the high water Saturday afternoon 10-31. Be careful Jordan Ross Edit
meet up with about 10 others. Some we knew, some we didn't know. Regardless we all set shuttles
with each other and made party runs in one big group, it was a blast! Us three that drove up in the
same car, camped (napped for 2 hours) and put on in 6am, there was barely light. We made 5 runs
before noon then went to a place in Tellico Plains called Prospectors. I rein the only person to
beat there food eating challenge! Then had enough time to go to the Ocoee on the way back to GA.
What a great day!
of the best ones in tenn. Edit
a 6-8ft drop (Major Hazard). Swimming any of the top drops or the Knee would be really bad. Edit
left side run of "diper wiper," so watch out. You can still run the left side but you should scout
it before to see where the log is. Edit
of water for a run of the Ledges afterwards.
runnable levels on the Tellico. For a long time the conventional wisdon was that 1.7 on the gauge
was about minimum. However more and more people have been reporting good runs down to 1.3 and even
lower.<br>
<br>
Mike, who has been running the Tellico for more than 20 years and did a Tennessee Outdoor Life TV
show on the river, went to see if he could figure what had happened. He says that the river bed
under the gauge has gotten scoured out and, relyng on some of his long time water marks, he thinks
that what was 1.7 is now about 1.3.<br>
<br>
This means that the river is runnable lower than many of us generally thought. If you like the
Tellico then you might want to try it down to the 1.3 range, or, for my money, even lower. Please
report you runs and levels. Chris Kelly
"knee" rock. It is slightly undercut, but the real problem there is it narrows down to a
pinch at the bottom. Be extra cautious if you are in a playboat and find yourself to the left of
the knee. Swimming into this slot could be bad due to the risk of a leg getting wedged in the
pinch.