Georgia Natural Wonder #59 - Chattahoochee River Whitewater – Columbus (Part 1). 744

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #59 - Chattahoochee River Whitewater – Columbus (Part 1)

I told you it was getting rough the last few years at our next natural wonder yesterday. And it has since they tore down the two decommissioned textile-mill-era dams. Once the reason for the city's establishment, the Chattahoochee River is once again the most distinctive feature of this city. A good and true Georgia Natural Wonder, the fall line of the Chattahoochee River with a tangent on the history of Columbus tomorrow.



We first find this from the home page for the new Chattahoochee Whitewater Park.

Raft

Come raft with us on the Chattahoochee River (Columbus, GA/Phenix City, AL), the longest urban whitewater rafting in the world! The course has been described to be “Wild as Colorado and Warm as Costa Rica.” USA Today picked the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park as one of the Top 12 man-made Adventures in the World! The course consists of class II-V whitewater and is one of the most exciting sections of whitewater in the US! We are able to run two types of trips (Classic and Challenge) on the same 2.5 mile stretch of river due to the dam-controlled release which occurs daily!



During the day, the river will run at approx. 800cfs with Class I-III+(IV) rapids which is a perfect combination of fun and adventure for the whole family! In the afternoon, the water cranks up to ~4,000-13,000cfs (5-15x the morning flow!) with Class III-V rapids, which are some of the biggest on the east coast and provide for a wild and exciting trip that is unlike any other! Come join in the excitement and experience some of the biggest rapids east of the Mississippi!



Bike

Exploring the Columbus Riverwalk with a bike rental from Whitewater Express is a blast and the best way to get up-close-and-personal with the Chattahoochee River. You’ll be able to explore the 22 miles of the Riverwalk, from the scouting the huge rapids of the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park to historic Port Columbus. Riverwalk extends from Fort Benning, south of town, to Lake Oliver to the north.



Do yourself a favor and hop on a bike rental while visiting Columbus and enjoy the city in a whole new way.



Fish

Join one of our expert fly fishing guides to learn a skill that will last a lifetime! We offer a variety of instructional courses ranging from beginner to advanced as well as fly-tying. The River Restoration project has allowed many of the fish that were once abundant on the Columbus/Phenix City section of the Chattahoochee to return and repopulate where they once flourished. One species in particular which has become more and more apparent is the Shoal Bass.



After the River

The city of Columbus has countless activities for you to enjoy following your river trip, such as biking on 15 miles of Riverwalk, visiting Columbus’ Coca-Cola Space Science Center, The National Infantry Museum, and Oxbow Meadows. Finish your trip by dining in beautiful Uptown Columbus— it’s all right there. Explore more activities in Uptown Columbus. Come by our new retail shop to pick up everything you need to enjoy the day on the river.



The Chattahoochee River

The Chattahoochee River forms the southern half of the Alabama and Georgia border, as well as a portion of the Florida border. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers and emptying from Florida into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The Chattahoochee River is about 430 miles long. The Chattahoochee, Flint, and Apalachicola rivers together make up the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint River Basin. The Chattahoochee makes up the largest part of the ACF's drainage basin.



From its source in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chattahoochee River flows southwesterly to Atlanta and through its suburbs. It eventually turns due-south to form the southern half of the Georgia/Alabama state line. Flowing through a series of reservoirs and artificial lakes, it flows by Columbus, the third-largest city in Georgia, and the Fort Benning Army base. At Columbus, it crosses the Fall Line of the eastern United States.


Before the dam was removed.


Today.

The name Chattahoochee is thought to come from a Muskogean word meaning "rocks-marked" (or "painted"), from chato ("rock") plus huchi ("marked"). This possibly refers to the many colorful granite outcroppings along the northeast-to-southwest segment of the river. Much of that segment of the river runs through the Brevard fault zone.

A local Georgia nickname for the Chattahoochee River is "The Hooch".


Painted rocks along the Hooch.

Restoring Old Glory With New Whitewater

Restoring the Falls of the Chattahoochee – Communities on both sides of the Chattahoochee River have recently improved the river corridor with new riverwalks and developments, but progress in the river itself had been stalled for decades by two decommissioned textile-mill-era dams. With oversight by the Army Corps of Engineers, these two dams were removed to reveal the natural whitewater rapids that have been inundated for nearly 200 years. McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group improves upon nature’s design and the whitewater experience by adding a combination of grouted boulder structures, newly excavated channels, a tunable WaveShaper and upgraded access.


Youngsters up front.

That this massive wave appears at 80,000 cfs is testament to the MWDG brand’s commitment to redefine the way the world looks at river restoration projects. Whether you’re a rafter, kayaker or surfer, it’s waves like this that that inspire trips to Africa, Chile or Canada for the thrill of a lifetime. Now all you need to do is book a flight to Columbus Georgia!



All the waves created on the “Hooch” starting at about 12,000 cfs are on par with the rapids on the Zambezi, Blue Nile, St. Lawrence and the infamous Skookumchuck Narrows.


Skookumchuck Narrows.

MWDG and the city of Columbus have created the “Skookumchuck of the South”. Bring your boards, boats, and A game: things just got real!



The Dam

In 1882, the Eagle and Phenix Mills constructed the 1,000-foot long stone dam across the river. This new technological marvel provided reliable waterpower to the massive textile complex along the river for nearly a century.



Most of the dam has been demolished, but remnants remain on each side of the river, especially on the Alabama side.



The masonry dam was in very poor structural condition and eventually would have collapsed if not removed. After the breaching was complete, a team of archaeologists went into the newly drained millponds. They found hundreds of glass bottles, wooden kegs, wooden buckets, old bricks, broken plates and cups, part of a trumpet, stone ware jugs, and several modern weapons that were turned over to the police. Here is a link to the detailed history of damming the Hooch

The Float

As best I can glean, there are 15 named rapids starting up by the North Highland Dam and Lake Oliver. I defer to your individual expertise on trying to self float this baby. There are plenty of outfitters who offer a guided adventure.



It is going to be my goal to get back to Columbus and organize an HOTD rafting trip down this baby in conjunction to a weekend adventure one day for Keef to show us around Pasaquan.



The whitewater rapids that encompasses Coweta Falls on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus is the longest man-made urban whitewater rafting course in the world and spans two and a half miles long.


Now what is it? Pemberton Falls or Coweta Falls.

We found this listing of rapids alphabetical. We have tried to put them in order of float, but I have never been there, so they may not be in order.

Listing of rapids

Ambush

The initial wave after using the North Highland Dam access point. This could be a category 2-3 at low flow. For kayaking, There is a wall of rock a couple hundred feet after the rapid that requires a quick right line folllowed by a left line. At lower release levels this is an easy section. At higher levels the water has boils and moves much faster.



Jaws

Second rapid, just downstream from Ambush. Varies dramatically between water levels. A series of ledges at low-water which turn into a large wave train as water levels increase. Great play spot for rafters at low water.



Habitat Pool

Enjoy a leisurely and refreshing ride down this slow rapid without a boat on low flow trips. The Habitat Pool, an offshoot from the main stem of the river located upstream and north of the Eagle and Phenix Dam is the destination for those who seek slow moving water and excellent river access.



This section of the river offers tremendous fish and bird habitat and a great locale for beginning boaters and stand up paddleboarders to practice and play.



Gooder'n Grits

At the site of the old City Mill Dam, this rapid provides a lot of fun!



City Mills Dam



Jurassic Park

River-Left, just below Gooder'n Grits, a channel of the river branches off towards the left riverbank around a large rock island in the middle of the river. The bend that forms here contains a series of splashy waves followed by a hydraulic (Stumpy Hole or "the stump surf") that sits touching the left riverbank right at the train bridge.



Cascades

Located just prior to going under the railroad tracks.



Turner's Tumbler

Fellow named Turner took a bad spill here back in day.


He was rollin’ on the river with Tina.

Pemberton Falls

One of the best rapids on the course especially at low flow. Dr. Pemberton was the pharmacist in Columbus and Atlanta Georgia that originated the formula for Coca-Cola.



This is where the crowds gather and below here.



Showing off for the crowds.



Staircase

Just under the 13th Street Bridge is a "staircase" that splits into two directions leading to both Cut Bait and Heaven's Gate.



Sneak Route

An alternate route to waveshaper (heaven's gate) at high-flow. As the river winds through this rocky channel, it forms several small hydraulics and one very large hydraulic that make the sneak route an exciting alternative to the tough ferry just above cutbait. Enter the sneak route under 13th street bridge just above the Flume Rapid (aka Cascades).



Cut Bait

Cutbait is the signature infamous rapid on the Chattahoochee River Whitewater course and reaches a 4+ category at high flow.



Hangin on for dear life.



Wonder why they call it Cut Bait?



Heaven's Gate

This is the wave area created by the Waveshaper embedded in the river bed near the Island.



Guides earn money.



The Good Wave

Set of rapids just past Heaven's Gate.



The Great Wave

Just below Good Wave. Full strength at 4500 CFS and at times when the pool is filling up. Existent at the high-water levels but subject to being washed out as the pool fills.



Hit it at the right time and you will know, as it is a very strong surf at its peak.



River Walk all below the main rapids.


Image back when dam was there.

Wow……Columbus Georgia! Makes me wonder if they could remove that dam on the Savannah River and restore the whitewater better on that side of the state. Hell, tear down the dams in Athens. Of course we didn’t scratch the history of Columbus, so let me get started there for tomorrow, hopefully in just a day. The Golden Islands beckon. Surprised any of you made it past the Night Life section post. Today's GNW gals at the Local Coyote Ugly (Cuter than Ugly).