Chattahoochee, Georgia, US

3 - Upper Hooch - GA Route 115 to Duncan Bridge Road (Upper Hooch)

Usual Difficulty	II-III (varies with level)
Length	4 Miles
Avg. Gradient	25 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NEAR CORNELIA, GA
usgs-02331600	480 - 3000 cfs	II-III	00h54m	625 cfs (rc= 0.1 )
	Low but still fun - You have to search for surf spots. This gauge is located near the take-out bridge. The Soquee River comes in above the take-out and can affect the readings of the online gauge.

River Description

The USGS online gauge is located near the take-out bridge. The Soquee River comes in above the take-out and can affect the readings of the online gauge.


The first reading below is cfs, then the on-line Cornelia gauge above.

200 cfs / <.7 / 1.6 - It's a hike - Don't go. Some would add a few tenths before going. Sehlinger & Otey actually say .8 is minimum per the 2nd reading
480 cfs / 1.1 / 2.0 - Low but still fun - You have to search for surf spots.
980 cfs / 1.7 / 2.5 - Good level for most. Surfing begins to get good.
1500 cfs / 2.3 / 3.0 - Lots of fun, but more challenging - This can be tricky for those with less skill/experience and used to lower levels.
2800 cfs / 3.5 / 4.0+ Carnage abounds (for beginners) - I've seen some serious rescues at this level, but it's still a class 3-4 run. This level only occurs after a hard sustained rain.

The Hooch occasionally goes higher, 11.58 in July '03 and 15.72 feet in Sept '04.



As of August 2001, 200 cfs at the take-out was equal to about 1.2 feet at the put-in.

There used to be a USGS gauge about 100 feet upstream of the put-in on river left, but it was blown out in a flood a few years back and was not replaced. This was the gauge that most of the existing guidebooks referred to.

RIVER DESCRIPTION
The Upper Hooch is a classic beginner canoeing and kayaking stream. Its relatively short, has an easy shuttle, decent scenery and fun rapids. It can be run at just about all levels from ridiculously scrapy to screaming high flood stage, depending on the boaters skills of course. At low flows its a class two stream. Around 1500 to 2500 cfs its easy class 3. Above that its class 3/4 with some huge holes.

Once upon a time during the winter of '96-97 a group of us ran the Upper Hooch at 13 feet (about 14,500 cfs). Lots of moving strainers. Two massive holes in First Island rapid that were of equal size to the top holes in Insignificant on the Gauley. The rock outcrop on the right at second ledge was a giant pourover. Third ledge was washed out. We ran it twice before the Hall and White County rescue squads closed down the river. Probably a good thing--three other groups put on and hiked/swam off. Lots of canoes wrapped around trees that day.



Parking Info: The land at the put-in and take-out is owned by Wildwood Outfitters. During the summer they usually charge $3 to park. For $5 you get parking and they run the shuttle for you. The outpost is usually closed during the winter.

 

Directions:
From Atlanta, go north on I-85 16 miles to I-985. Continue 42 miles up I-985. Then take a left at Duncan Bridge Road, GA 384 at the light. The take-out is about 4 miles down Duncan Bridge Rd.

To get to the put-in, continue west on Duncan Bridge Rd, take a right on GA 254, and another right on GA 115. The put-in will be the first stream you come to. Parking is very limited at the put-in.
Whitewater Home Companion Vol. 1, William Nealy
Appalachian Whitewater : The Southern States