Chattahoochee River between Island Ford and Morgan Falls Dam, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Length: 7 miles
Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
The trip down the Chattahoochee River from Island Ford to Morgan Falls Dam starts off with a run of small rapids (ripples), but then it becomes calm for the rest of the way.
“Rapids” on the Chattahoochee River near the Island Ford unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The total trip entails three miles of river travel and four miles of travel across Bull Sluice Lake, which really isn’t a lake, at least not by my definition. Bull Sluice Lake is nothing more than a section of the Chattahoochee River that is backed up by Morgan Falls Dam. You might say that’s exactly what Lake Lanier is, yet I consider Lake Lanier a lake because it is a wide and massive body of water. With Bull Sluice Lake, if you pay close attention you may notice that it is a little wider than the free-flowing Chattahoochee, but for the most part, if nobody tipped you off as to the name change I doubt you’d notice much difference…except for one thing. Being a backed up river, the current is very slow, which means that if you don’t paddle, you aren’t going anywhere. So the question you need to ask yourself is, “Do I really want to travel over Bull Sluice Lake?”
Calm waters of Bull Sluice Lake near Morgan Falls Dam, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Geese and turtle on Bull Sluice Lake near Morgan Falls Dam, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The trip across the lake can be mighty boring or it can be mighty exciting. All depends on your goal. If you just want to say you traveled the entire Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, with the sole purpose of getting to Morgan Falls Dam, it’s a bore. However, if you have time to explore, there are many nooks and crannies to venture into. Some are too shallow to navigate, but many have just enough water to accommodate a canoe or kayak. Just look for the openings of mouths of small creeks and streams along the river bank. These cut narrow passages from the “lake” to much more interesting terrain, often marshes.
Many small creeks and streams like this one empty into Bull Sluice Lake, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Wildlife enjoy these areas, and being that the water is flat and calm, it’s a great side trip for nature photographers because you aren’t likely to capsize your boat and lose your expensive gear. It is in one of these inlets that I got close enough to a blue heron to get a great photo.
Blue Heron on the Chattahoochee River near Morgan Falls Dam
If you decide that Bull Sluice Lake is not for you, there is one take-out point prior to the dam. It is the Chattahoochee River Park Boat Ramp, a Roswell City park, located near mile marker 317.5, about ten minutes after you pass the Roswell Road bridge. I don’t know the exact address, but a business next to the park has the address of 203 Azalea Drive, Rosewell, GA 30075. I would unofficially call this as the start of Bull Sluice Lake, as that’s when you can tell the current slows down considerably. The park has a nice picnic area with restroom facilities, so even if you plan on going to the dam, it is a convenient place to stop and take a break. In fact, it’s the first place to stop and take a break since putting in at Island Ford. While you will see many boat docks along the way, all are on private property. Also, don’t be confused by Don White Memorial Park, which you will come to a mile or so prior to the Chattahoochee River Park Boat Ramp. Don White is a small park at the Hwy 400 bridge, and it does not have a canoe ramp.
Chattahoochee River Park on Azalea Drive in Roswell, Georgia
For those who want to continue, plan on constantly paddling for the next hour and a half, otherwise you’ll just sit still. The current does pick up as you get closer to the dam, but it’s still slower than it was prior to the Roswell Road bridge. As mentioned, there are plenty of inlets to explore if you have time, and these are much more interesting than the lake.
There are two take-out points at the dam: one at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and the other at the dam, itself. The park comes first. This is where I got out, having arranged to be picked up there. If you continue paddling around the bend to the right you will come to the take-out point at the dam.
If you plan on getting out at the park, be on the lookout for a boat dock at the shore and the roof tops of picnic pavilions on top of a hill (it’s actually hard to miss). Once at the dock, you will have a 2-3 minute walk along a concrete pathway to the parking lot, and this is slightly uphill. I lugged my 60-pound inflatable kayak (deflated and in the carrying bag) without stopping, so it’s not that bad.
Morgan Falls Overlook Park on the Chattahoochee River
Boat dock at Morgan Falls Overlook Park on the Chattahoochee River
I can’t attest as to how to get out at the dam, but when you see Morgan Falls Overlook Park, follow the river around to the right and in about ten minutes you will see a sign directing you down a narrow passageway. A park Ranger told me that once you land at the ramp, Georgia Power will open a gate for you to carry out your vessel. You cannot, however, drive your car inside the power plant area. You can have somebody pick you up at the gate, or you can walk down the street to the parking lot if you have your car parked there. The distance is about the same as the parking lot at Morgan Falls Overlook Park is to the boat dock. If you are continuing down the river from below the dam, there is a boat ramp at the far end of the parking lot.
Sign directing paddlers on the Chattahoochee River to portage around Morgan Falls Dam
Passageway to portage around the Morgan Falls Dam on the Chattahoochee River
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Last updated on May 13, 2024
