Chattooga,

Spectacular scenery

Spectacular scenery
Photo of Chattooga by Brian Jacobson В© 2007 taken 5 January 2007 @ 1.5 (Burls)

Gauge Information

River Description

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

Reach Profile

Related Reaches
Chattooga Cliffs (AKA Section 00)

Ellicott Rock (AKA Section 0)

Rock Gorge (AKA Section 1)

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