| photo of Olympic Course under construction |
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In
the upper reaches of the highlands, natural springs release
pure natural essence down the mountain slopes. These waters
gather themselves into streams that find their way to creeks,
flowing along until they merge with mountain rivers as they
journey across the land and out to sea.
The Ocoee is one of these river mountain rivers. Its headwaters
descend from the high country of northern Georgia into southeastern
Tennessee, weaving its rushing whitewater westward, down the
Ocoee Gorge and into Lake Ocoee. This particular river has been
a favorite to rafters, kayakers and canoeist since 1977.
The Tennessee Valley Authority purchased the power system in
1939. September 1976 the wooden flume was shut down for reconstruction
and once again the river ran unabated.
People began showing up to the Ocoee with army surplus rafts
to run the five miles of whitewater rapids. Rafters struggled
with TVA to get the right to use the whitewater. After much
resistance, TVA agreed to schedule water releases into the river,
and commercial rafting found a home on the Ocoee River in 1977.
As the waters of the Toccoa River flow under the bridge that
divides Georgia and Tennessee, the river takes on a new identity.
The world famous Ocoee River, white water country and the home
of the 1996 Summer Olympic’s Kayaking Competitions, located
in southeastern corner of Tennessee and outside the northwestern
outreach of Fannin County.
The Ocoee hosts yearly white water event competition as well
as its overwhelming following of white water rafting enthusiast
and recreational kayakers. Due to the opening of the upper Ocoee,
you can run the rapids past the White Water Olympic Center and
down the actual Olympic course. Your going to need to hold on
to your oar and stay in the boat, there are several 5 rated
rapids along the upper and middle Ocoee River. The most powerful
rapids in the eastern U.S. for commercial rafting is a 6 rated
rapid. The water pressure during the Olympics was more intense
for the competition, the flow being controlled by the TVA.
The Ocoee Gorge if a magnificent sight with three dams, two
powerhouses and a 100 year old wooden water slough that runs
along the gorge’s upper walls. The river waters are controlled
by the TVA while the gorge, its river banks and the surrounding
Cohutta Wilderness, which contains the gorge is controlled and
managed by the USFS. The Ocoee River hosts over approximately
300,000 people a year riding the white water. If you would like
to read more on white water rafting, check out “Ancient
Waters, Thrilling Ride.” |
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