About This Route
Upper Ocoee's 5.5-mile Class III-IV from Ocoee #3 Dam to #2 Powerhouse dazzles with 26 rapids like Grumpy's, Broken Nose. In Cherokee NF, TN/GA, it's Olympic legacy (1996 Games). A.T. runs parallel via Blue Ridge, sharing McCamy Lake access. TVA schedules Friday-Sunday releases (noon-4pm weekends), hitting 2,400 cfs.
Safety Considerations
TVA surges demand timing; scout via Ocoee Adventure Center. Pin risks in rocky chutes; hypothermia in 55°F flows. Pools harbor strainers; group minimum four. Check AW gauge; 1.8-2.5 ft optimal. Aligns with A.T. river safety: wait out high water.
Essential Gear
PFD, helmet, paddle, knife, first aid. Wetsuit, throw bag, PLB for remoteness.
Emergency Tips
Defensive swim to riverside eddies; fires for signal. Hike A.T. to 64 Hwy; Cleveland hospital nearby.