Chattahoochee River near Powers Island in Atlanta
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 45 minutes to an hour
If you are looking for the most exciting water in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, this is the stretch of river that you want to run. However, this is not to suggest that Atlanta-area whitewater enthusiasts should cancel their trips to the Chattooga River and plan for adventure closer to home. What we are talking about here are no more than Class 1 rapids, but since the majority of the river in the Recreation Area is flat water, these rapids are more than a welcome relief. For those who do not know what Class 1 rapids are, they are rapids with riffles and small waves. If that still does not provide you with a decent frame of reference, families with small/young children (not babies or toddlers) can run these rapids with no real worries. Of course, kids should always be wearing life jackets (mandatory for those under 14-years-old), as anything can happen. Furthermore, kids will have a blast and will not be asking, “Are we there yet?” like they are liable to do on the flat stretches of water that make up the majority of the river in the Recreation Area.
Small rapids on the Chattahoochee between the Powers Island and Palisades units of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The put-in at Powers Island is for hand-launched watercraft only. To find the ramp from the parking lot, look towards the woods directly in front of the picnic pavilion (pavilion to your back). You will see a bridge that takes you to the island. There is a canoe launch directly on the other side of the channel, but this is not the launch you want. This narrow channel is often full of fallen trees and other debris that can block the passage. The channel flows under bridge to the south and it is very dark in this area, making it difficult to even see the debris. Thus, forget about this launch and make your way down the short path to the other side of the island (a mere 50 yards) to a launch located directly on the main channel of the Chattahoochee River.
Small rapids and turbulent water separated by 5-10 minute stretches of calm water run nearly non-stop from Powers Island to Paces Mill (a section of the Palisades park unit). At each set of rapids you will find yourself in immense fields of rocks. The trick is to navigate between the rocks, some of which are just below the surface and hard to spot. Look for V-shaped shoots, which are created by water flowing between two sets of rocks. The V-shaped shoot is the target area. However, no matter how hard you try, especially if this is your first time down the river, more than likely you will get stuck on a rock. Don’t panic. You can actually step out of your boat and pull it off the rocks. The rocks are usually not slippery, but be sure to step with caution. Oftentimes, just getting out and removing your weight is enough to free the boat. At other times you may be able to rock yourself free or use your paddle to push yourself free. Just keep in mind that the water is shallow and there is little to worry about, safety wise, as long as you can swim and/or have your life jacket on. Ultimately, you are more likely to get stuck on a rock, a minor inconvenience, than capsize your boat, which would suck.
The last take out point in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is the boat ramp at Paces Mill. Once you go under I-75—a huge, multi-lane bridge that you cannot miss—the ramp is about ten minutes away. Signs alerting you to the ramp start popping up a few minutes beforehand. The ramp will be on your right. There are a few small rapids immediately before it, but the water calms down just in time for you to be able to easily paddle over to the ramp.
Chattahoochee River flows under the I-75 bridge in Atlanta
Paces Mill boat ramp, the last take-out point in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Boat ramp at Paces Mill in the Palisades unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
It would be easy to suggest putting in at Powers Island and just running the stretch of river to Paces Mill, but the shortness of the trip would hardly make it worth the effort. Thus, at least put in at Johnson Ferry, and if you have three hours to spend on the river, put in below Morgan Falls Dam. Yes, you’ll have an hour and a half or so of calm water, but this calmness gives you time to see ducks, geese, blue herons, turtles, and even some nice homes along the river.
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Last updated on May 22, 2024
