Chattooga, GA

Go big or go home

Go big or go home
Photo of Shayne Day by Brian Jacobson © 2007 taken 6 January 2007 @ 1.5 (Burls)

Gauge Information

River Description

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.

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 five mile long Ellicott Rock reach starts with a Class V drop at Bull Pen Bridge that defines the end of the Chattooga Cliffs reach and the beginning of the Ellicott Rock reach. The two or so miles immediately below Bull Pen Bridge to Ellicott Rock are read-and-run, Class IV, with a series of ledge drops and boulder-filled rapids.  Approximately 2 miles into the run is Super Corkscrew, the only other Class V rapid on the run. The rapid is a long series of off-set ledge drops with increasingly powerful hydraulics and a shallow, short run out.  The rapids below Super Corkscrew extending down to Ellicott Rock are similar to those above Super Corkscrew; the rapids are a combination of Class III-IV ledges and boulder fields. The run requires about 2 hours assuming you move quickly through the last three miles of Class II shoals above Burrell's Ford. (adapted from FS Expert Panel Report)

This section does not have the unique scenery found on the Chattooga Cliffs or Rock Gorge reaches in that the views are limited due to the narrowness of the riverbed, however the whitewater is exceptional for the first two miles.  It is noteworthy in that it passes through Ellicott Wilderness and has few trails paralleling the river allowing boaters to enjoy the run with little chance of encounters until you reach the Ellicotts Rock trail.

Shuttle Directions

Start at Burrell’s Ford bridge. Return on Burrell’s Ford Road 2.6 miles to Hwy 107, turn left and go north 6.1 miles and turn left on Bull Pen Road (County Road S-1102), follow Bull Pen Road 5.1 miles to Bull Pen Bridge. Burrell’s Ford Road is approximately 10 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 107 and Hwy 28 in Mountain Rest, SC

Emergency Locations 

Reach Profile 

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