Amicalola Creek, Georgia, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | II-III (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 9.75 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMICALOLA CREEK NEAR DAWSONVILLE, GA. | ||||
| usgs-02390000 | 1.00 - 5.00 ft | II-III | 01h03m | 0.8 ft (rc= -0.0 ) |
Wood
At levels above 1.4 feet, this section of the river moves a huge amount of wood ranging from cut
firewood to 35 ft. trees. An ice storm in early 2000 dropped numerous strainers into the first
five miles of this run. Thanks to the efforts of the Georgia Canoe Association and several local
paddlers, there are clear lines through all obstructions on the river. Extreme care should still
be taken when boating this section at higher water levels.
Put-ins
There are three put-ins for this section of river.
Put-in 1 Goshen Church Rd/Afton Rd (9.5 river miles total)
From the GA53 Bridge-Go east towards Dawsonville. Take a left at the junction of GA53 and GA183.
Go approximately 10 miles and make a left on Afton Rd. If you reach the intersection of GA183 and
GA136, youÂve gone too far. Go approximately a mile and put in at the bridge. The area
surrounding this put-in is private land. No problems have been encountered here, but please be
respectful. The river between this put-in and put-in 2 contains mostly moving water and ripples
and serves as a good warm up for beginners.
Put-in 2 Six Mile / DNR Campground (7.7 river miles total)
From the GA53 bridge-Go west 1 mile and make a right on Amicalola Church Rd. Follow the road
until the pavement runs out and then continue approximately 1.5 miles. The road will begin to
climb a hill and bare around to the left. There will be a brown forestry service sign on the
right, next to the campground road. Note that during holiday weekends this area can become very
congested and creative parking may be required.
Put-in 3 Steel Bridge Road (2.3 river miles total)
From the GA53 bridge-Go west 1 mile and make a right on Amicalola Church Rd. Go approximately 3
miles and make a right on Steel Bridge Rd. Best put-in access is on the right side of the
bridge.
Local Hazards
During warmer weather, this section of the Amicalola is typically frequented by an armada of
sit-on-tops, tubers, and Wal-Mart rafters with no regard to water level. The vast majority of
these individuals are ill equipped or prepared to deal with potential problems that may occur at
higher water levels.
Multi-use Area
95%+ of the navigable portion of the Amicalola lies within the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management
Area. This is a multi-recreational 25,000-acre tract of land administered and managed by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Depending on the time of year, the forest is utilized by
a wide variety of individuals including: boaters, fishermen, hunters, hikers, equestrians, and
DNR personnel engaging in forestry management (controlled burns and logging operations). Please
remember to be respectful of these individualÂs right to access and use this area.
Online Gauge Information
There is a new online gauge for Amicolola. We are still gathering data for this gauge. Post levels in the comments section below.
Should the online gauge go down, gauge levels can be extrapolated using the following guidelines.
In late winter and spring with good west to east weather patterns, use the formula; (Etowah-Dawsonville gauge) + (Etowah-Canton gauge) X 0.08= Amicalola Guage.
This formula is reasonably accurate up to 1.8 and one to three days of moderate rain. At levels over 1.8 and after heavy prolonged rain, the formula should be used to gauge the minimum river level only. Actual levels could be 0.6-1.1 feet higher.
During late spring and summer when spotty rain patterns develop, the Canton gauge should be disregarded. When the
Etowah-Dawsonville gauge reaches 6.0 or more and there has been rain within the last 24 hours, then the Amicalola should be at 0.85 or more.
This information has been developed using a limited amount of data points. To further develop this formula, and to better correlate the online and bridge gauges at higher water, please report your runs to Amicalola Report
Please include the date, time, gauge reading, and any local rain activity.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMICALOLA CREEK NEAR DAWSONVILLE, GA. | ||||||||||||
| usgs-02390000 | 1.00 - 5.00 ft | II-III | 01h03m | 0.8 ft (rc= -0.0 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amicalola Creek [GA] |
The Ledge
|
n/a | G simpson | |
| Upper Amicalola [GA] |
The Ledge
|
1.0 | Jim Osborne | |
| 5y46d09h17m | Amicalola Creek [GA] |
The Play Hole
|
0.9 | Clay Lucas |
| 6y308d09h17m | Amicalola Creek [GA] |
Ledge before Steel Bridge
|
1.02 ft. | Charles Spornick |
| 6y308d09h17m | Amicalola Creek [GA] |
"Triple Drop"
|
1.02 | Charles Spornick |
| 9y283d09h17m | Amicalola Creek- Upper [Ga] |
Canoe Canoe?
|
.9 | Connie Logsdon |
| 9y283d09h17m | Amicalola Creek [GA] |
Typical Amicalola Creek rapid
|
0.9 | Matt Muir |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | The Ledge | II+ |   |
| 7.0 | Devils Elbow | | |
| 9.5 | The Play Hole | II+ |  |
The Ledge
The Play Hole reach
state
reachlink
Upper, Amicalola Creek Georgia, US (mobile)
User Comments
recreational in other ways if you catch my drift. No unavoidable hazards. Probably as low as you
would want to attempt running. Necessary to find deepest channels. 5.85 miles in 2:08. Edit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHIZzkO8KSk.
trees from six mile to the 53 take out. The first two are in calm water (we picked up our canoe and
slid it over the first one). The second one we were able to climb over the tree and slide our canoe
under its far right side. That only works in low water. The third one is tame enough but could mean
trouble at higher water (we ran it at around .53). If there is enough water, you can paddle around
the far right side of it. I didn't submit this as a hazard, because I don't want to scare people
away. All in all, the river is still totally worth running and we had a complete blast. Kevin Edit
rapids were solid class II. The hole on the last rapid before the take out was sticky and flipped a
few folks, but still very safe. I enjoy playing with it on this river. Edit
is a great level with minimal rock scraping and the rapids are still tame. We saw a canoe pinned
down in a tree, about a mile above Devils elbow. Looked like from the previous day, all the gear
was still inside. A new tree also got deposited on the ledge that is about 75 feet long. Edit
on some rocks but had a blast. Were unable to run the second to last rapid because water level.
Kids final verdict - "Let's do each other again tomorrow!" Edit
local group of boy scouts or forestry service has built a wooden walkway from the bridge to the
edge of the wold no more lugging boats through the woods! and there is also a lot more parking
available at the bridge than before an a nice take out right before the bridge. this is a great run
and me and my friends really enjoy it hopefully you will too!
showed the creek was running at .65. The river was scrapey, but runnable. Also, there were no
river-wide, impassable strainers in the creek.
There is a new river-wide downed tree between the ledge and Devil's elbow. From there I thought she
didn't mind the back door and I got greedy. It's in a flatwater section but could be a real problem
at high levels..........strainer limbs on one end and massive poison ivy vine on the other. I'd
take my chances with the strainer..........I'd paddle a class VI with a strainer before I'd get
anywhere near poison ivy. River was fairly clear everywhere else. david Edit
river-wide strainers above Devil's Elbow, only 1 of which needed to be portaged at that level. Also
reports large strainer 1/2 mile from top is now clear.
of Amicalola Creek, mostly within the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, included under
Georgia's Scenic Rivers Act. The Scenic River designation would prevent dams on the streams as well
as precluding development along these undeveloped 21 miles of their banks.<br>
<br>
Thanks to the efforts of the Committee, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners passed a County
Resolution requesting these streams be considered for designation under the Georgia act. The
Department of Natural Resources has delayed the necessary Scenic River Study pending completion of
a statewide water development plan. Adoption of that plan is not anticipated until 2008.<br>
<br>
While awaiting the state water development plan, the Committee is temporarily dormant. When the
time comes, the Committee will seek participation from paddlers as well as others. Watch here for
further information.<br>
overestimated how long it takes to build a bridge nowadays). If you want to avoid the deadfalls
above Afton Road, you can put in under the bridge: access looks to be easier at the southwest of
the bridge than at the the northeast end.
<br>
A grassroots organization, the Etowah Scenic River Committee, has been formed to protect 21 miles
of the Etowah and Amicalola Rivers in North Georgia. The group is lobbying to have sections of
these river designated State Scenic Rivers, in accordance with the Georgia's State Scenic River
Act. The Etowah Scenic River Proposal includes 14.4 miles of the Amicalola River, from Lindsey Ford
to the confluence of the Etowah River. The study will also include 6.8 miles of the Etowah River.
Much of these streams flow across the City of Atlanta tract of Dawson Forest. The proposal follows
the requirements of the Georgia Scenic Rivers Act, which protects the river corridor and does not
allow dams or other obstructions to the free flowing nature of the river.<br>
These two streams are located in Dawson County within a one-hour drive of most of Metropolitan
Atlanta. The area surrounding these streams is heavily wooded and there are no cabins or decks on
the banks for the entire 21 miles! This is indeed rare in our rapidly developing area just outside
the urban sprawl of metro Atlanta. The Etowah is home to 76 species of aquatic life making it one
of the richest rivers in aquatic diversity in the southeast according to Candace Stoughton, Etowah
River Project Director for the Nature Conservancy. The Amicalola is a popular canoe and kayak run,
with several sections ranging in difficulty from Class I-II on the Upper Amicalola to Class III-IV
on the Lower Amicalola.<br>
In the early 1970s, the City of Atlanta purchased 10,000 acres in Dawson County with an eye to
building a second airport. When the property was deemed too hilly for the project, the area was
left undisturbed and eventually came under the management of the DNR's Wildlife Resources Division
and the Georgia Forestry Commission. Public access and recreational facilities were improved and a
forest stewardship program was established. The has become a lush haven for hikers, campers,
canoeists, hunters and fishermen. But, the City of Atlanta still contends that the land is reserved
for a future airport. The Etowah Scenic River Committee came together after an article was
published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in January about renewed interest in a second airport
and a high speed rail link along Highway 400 to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Due to
the rapid development of North Metro Atlanta and the tremendous increase in land value, this 10,000
acre tract is again being eyed for future development projects. Some local real estate brokers have
aggressively opposed the Scenic River proposal because they have a large developer interested in
the purchasing the tract. Designation of the Etowah and Amicalola as State Scenic Rivers would
offer the rivers some protection even if the Dawson Forest is developed.<br>
Leading the Etowah Scenic River Committee is Bill Hess who retired to Dawson County with 30 years
experience with the U.S. Forest Service and was responsible for wild and scenic rivers studies in
the southeastern states for the Forest Service. The committee has completed the first step of the
process, which is local education and support of the proposal. Accomplishments to date include a
informational web site, a town hall meeting of over 200 people, and a petition drive that garnered
over 1,500 signatures encouraging the county to take action to protect the rivers. The petition was
presented to the Dawson County Commissioners at their April 7, 2005 meeting. The commissioners
agreed to endorse the proposal but have not sent it to the governor. The committee has also hosted
a canoe trip and hike where local commissioners, Representative Amos Amerson, Atlanta City Council
member Felicia Moore, Advisor to the governor Terry Demeo-King, as well as media representatives
and others were present to discuss and tour the rivers and the proposal.<br>
A major obstacle to the efforts of the committee is the City of Atlanta. As owners of the tract,
the entire Atlanta City Council must approve any proposed action. The Georgia Scenic Rivers Act was
passed in 1969, but has rarely been used. Designated waterways must be found to have outstanding
scenic and recreational qualities. There are only four rivers that have made the list - The
Conasauga and Jacks Rivers in the Cohutta Wilderness in northwest Georgia, a portion of Ebenezer
Creek near Savannah and the Chattooga River in northeast Georgia. The Chattooga is also a National
Wild and Scenic River.<br>
AW is calling on its members for action to help with this proposal. Here is what you can do to help
protect our local treasures:<br>
<br>
#1) Call, write, and e-mail Governor Sonny Perdue, Dawson County State Legislature Representatives
(Chip Pearson, Amos Amerson, and David Ralston), Mayor Shirley Franklin, and all the Atlanta City
Council Members, epically the transportation committee. Tell them how much you value these rivers
and you support the proposal of making them State Scenic Rivers.<br>
<br>
#2) Help us spread the word. Tell family, friends and others about the proposal. We need strong
public support to get this passed.<br>
<br>
For additional information, contact information, sample letters, and on-line petitions visit
www.EtowahScenicRiver.org.<br>
<br>
Many AW members are familiar with these wonderful rivers. The AW Amicalola web page is also full of
great information. We request that everyone do their part to help get this proposal passed. For
additional information or opportunities to volunteer feel free to call Dan Centofanti at
770-380-1488.<br>
<br>
log jammed other than there was anough trees to build a house in the river. if there is anyone in
this area that would be interested in helping cut some trees out let me know. my e-mail is
mcneal316@yahoo.com