The Chattahoochee River

Below is a quick list of links to info on this page. If you find a broken link or have more information to add just leave me a note in the comments. Have fun on the river, keep it clean and be safe.

• Bacteria Levels
• Buford Dam release information
• Morgan Falls Dam release information
• Dam Release Crest – Recede Info
• Shuttle Info
• Interactive Google Map of the River for put ins and parks
• PDF Chattahoochee River Map

I’ve spent a lot of time on the Chattahoochee over this summer (2011) and had a hard time finding some pretty basic information early on so I figured I would put together the most definitive source possible.  I’m going to focus on Section 3 of the Chattahoochee River.  This is also sometimes known as The Metro Hooch or The Hooch.  If you know any other names let me know in the comments please.

So I’m going to start out with the basics, the things that everyone regularly needs to know and then move on into some items that you may want to know later on. So lets begin with something that a lot of people don’t think of but need to know.. Bacteria levels.

For the entire stretch of the river with the exception of the first mile or so below the river (it doesn’t have a problem with bacteria because it’s so cold) you should check bacteria levels.  For most of the river though you are probably safe if it hasn’t rained for a while.

Here is the link to check bacteria levels.

 

Here are historical charts

Now… here is some dam information.

Buford Dam release schedule and Morgan Falls Dam Release Schedule:

The Chattahoochee River flow is managed by 2 dams: The Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam. They release at different times and impact the character of the river dramatically so you need to know about the releases before you put yourself in the water.

Buford Dam Release Schedule:

You can call 770-945-1466 to get the daily release schedule or if you’re in the area between the dam and GA 20 you can tune into 1610 AM.

OR get the Buford Dam Release Schedule online. Now before I give you this website you need to read this.  The times given on this chart are CENTRAL TIME. That means they are 1 hour BEHIND our Georgia time. IF you forget that and get on the water an hour ahead of time and think you’re safe… you could end up dead as the water would hit exactly WRONG.  This is a huge release of water and the flow gets intense and has killed. So, with that said here is the link.  After you look at it come back for the explanations.

These links open in a new window.

Release Schedule for today (all times are central time zone)
Release Schedule for tomorrow (all times are central time zone)

OK.  Now I know that’s an ugly chart so let me explain it real quick.

For the Buford Dam info, look at the Buford Dam column.  It’s the one that has BUFORD at the top and a series of 7′s below it.  These 7′s represent the regular flow.  The seven actually represents the 7 megawatts of power that is generated on a normal basis.  Now if you see a 67 on there then they are releasing with one generator flowing and you need to have a look at the flow chart a little lower on this page to see how it will impact your trip.  Again, the number represents the megawatts.  If they have BOTH generators going then you’ll see 127 so again.. stay off the water and have a look at the flow chart below… and most of you probably understand this but the times on the left are Military Time… so.. do the math.

I know that’s a little weird and I’ll say it again, it is CENTRAL TIME… AND AND AND… THE SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME so tune in to 1610AM if you’re up in the area or call the number before you put in.

Morgan Falls Dam Release Schedule:

I’ve talked to the engineers at GA Power and they’ve told me they like to keep a flow of 1,000 to 1,100 cfs. Even so, flows can vary wildly based on other factors such as rain so you’ll need to call and check gauges to find out exactly what is going on below the dam.  Historically this number that you call to check release times has been updated ocassionally at best but they’ve told me that they are working on getting it updated regularly at 11am and 11pm each day so we will see what happens.  So here is the number but I’m going to try and give you some back up methods/information as well:  404-329-1455 - Here is a link to the audio of the number if you don’t want to call.

A little more information: Monday and Tuesdays are likely the lowest water days. This is because Buford generates less power on the weekends. The highest lake levels will likely be found on Saturday and Sunday as they are trying to store more water to make it through the weekend… In a nutshell it’s a pretty complex and literally fluid system. If you get the information from the number it’s probably going to be right but the river is a natural system… run by humans so… things can always change.

Backup methods. You can use these to see what the historical release times and flows are. Unfortunately this one takes a little bit of learning by experience.  I’ve not witnessed this release and have heard that if you’re fishing it’s something to move out of the way for but if you’re in a boat you’ll be fine but  if the river seems to be changing under you and you become uncomfortable don’t be embarrassed to pull off to wait and see.

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ffc&gage=mgfg1

Here is the release history below Morgan Falls Dam

Here is the history of the lake level. They like to keep it at 866. If you plan on portaging around the dam or landing at this area keep this in mind so that you don’t end up dragging your boat through knee deep mud.

A little down river here is the release at Johnson Ferry

at Interstate 75 near Atlanta 

 

Dam Crest/Release Info

Some Info for these parts   River Info.

Location	Distance from Dam	Approximate time to crest	Approx time to receed	Access Point Comments
BUFORD DAM	0	0	0	This is a great park. Good access on both sides, good parking with bathrooms etc. If you are going to be on the water though PLEASE make sure that you check on release times either by phone or 1610 on the AM dial.
Highway 20 Bridge	2.5 mi	45 min	1-1/2 hrs	Not much parking and it’s probably a quarter of a mile to the rivers edge and even then it’s slippery, sandy and muddy. I’m not sure how secure your car will be up top either. You can paddle up the river a little ways to a beach and rapids though. Good float to Settles bridge… too short of a paddle though.
Notes on the above 2 parts of the river				Link to American Whitewater
Settles Bridge	5 mi	1.5 hrs	3 hrs	Good access, good parking. Some good areas to wade. A bridge to jump off of… if you’re crazy and don’t mind breaking the law.
McGinnis Ferry Bridge	8.5 mi	3 hrs	6 hrs	There is a little parking on the road but the access is tough. If you can work your way upstream a mile or so there is good wading. I’d skip this spot if I were you.
Suwanee Creek	10 mi	3.5 hrs	7 hrs
Rogers Bridge	11 mi	3.75 hrs	7-1/4 hrs
Abbotts Bridge, GA 120	13 mi	4.5 hrs	8 hrs	Nice park, boat ramps and rest rooms.
McClure Bridge	14 mi	5 hrs	10 hrs
Medlock Bridge, GA 141	17 mi	6 hrs	13 hrs	Public park, boat ramp, picnic tables, very wooded area. Good float trip to Jones Bridge.
Jones Bridge in Gwinnett	19 mi	6.5 hrs	14 hrs	Great park with large covered pavilion, restrooms, picnic tables. Extensive wading areas. Good float trip to Holcomb Bridge.
Jones Bridge in Fulton	19 mi	6.5 hrs	14 hrs	Public park west of river off Barnwell Road. Boat ramp, picnic tables, restrooms. Good, short float trip along park property.
Holcomb Bridge	23 mi	8 hrs	16 hrs	Limited parking, steep bank, rough access at Water Plant. Parking available near Learning Center.
Island Ford	29 mi	10 hrs	20 hrs	Chattahoochee National Recreation Area Headquarters. Great park. Restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp, fishing pier. Beautiful river views. Extensive wading areas.
Roswell Rd., U.S. 19 / Azalea Rd.	31 mi	10.5 hrs	21 hrs	Parking, picnic table, wading areas.
Morgan Falls	35 mi	11.5 hrs		Parking, boat ramp, good wading areas.
Johnsons Ferry				Parking, boat ramp, no wading. Good float trip to Cochran Shoals.
Cochran Shoals				Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, good float tubing along park property.  I still consider this mainly a “bike” trail park.
Powers Island				Good parking and river access. If you go on a summer weekend there will be a gajillion people there… but they are orderly for the most part. You can rent tubes and boats here as well.
East Palisades				Great wading and fishing. Lots of dogs on the weekends and people hanging out. Parking gets crowded quickly. Good system of trails as well.
Paces Mill				Paces Mill Park. Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp. Extensive wading areas.

This is a full Google Map that I put together of all the put ins and parks along this section of the river

View Chattahoochee River in a larger map

Shuttle companies and outfitters

http://www.highcountryoutfitters.com/get-outside/chattahoochee-rafting/
404-814-0999

http://www.shootthehooch.com/
(770) 650-1008 (they will not shuttle your equipment)

http://www.uptheriveroutfitters.com/ also known as $10 river tubing:
678-349-6880 (they never answer the phone)

http://urbancurrents.org/
404-590-2922

http://www.coolrivertubing.com/ (upper hooch, above Lanier)
706-878-2665

I bought my boat from these guys.. they’re awesome: http://www.gowiththeflow.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp
(770) 992-3200

There is also another company called $10 River Tubing. I would STRONGLY DISCOURAGE using their service as they were implicated in the carless death of a 9 year old girl.

More Resources:

Good details about the river here:  http://www.brownsguides.com/v/chattahoochee-river/

If you like spending time on the water you can learn more about doing it in Georgia here:  http://www.gapaddle.com/index.php

Buford Dam:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buford_Dam

 

Morgan Falls Dam:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_Sluice_Lake