BE A GOOD STEWARD PADDLE POINTERS The Ocoee River is known for its clean water and pristine Follow these 12 tips to help keep your next paddle trip safe: rural shorelines. Here’s how you can help play a part in keeping the river beautiful: Know Your Limits—Paddle water that is appropriate to your skills. Not sure about • Stay on the path. Shorelines are fragile ecosystems; where to find it? Talk to a local paddle shop owner about good places to paddle please restrict launching and landing to designated for every skill level. areas only. Keep an Eye on the Weather—Storms can spring up quickly in the south bringing • Leave no trace behind. No littering—whatever you lightning, high winds and choppy water. Point your prow toward shore whenever ON THE OCOEE RIVER pack in, you pack out. you hear thunder, no matter how distant. Whether you are stepping into your boat or • Look, don’t touch. Do not disturb any natural or cultural onto your board for the first time—or have resources you may encounter. Follow the Law for recreational vessels of the United States. logged enough hours on the water to rival • Respect private property. Do not trespass above the high water mark. Bring Flotation—Always wear a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket, type II or III at the best of guides—having a little back- • Be a happy camper. Camp only in minimum. Children under 12 years of age must wear a lifejacket.* pocket information is key. Here is some designated areas. • Don’t play with fire. No campfires simple information about some of the Wear a Helmet—If you fall in, a helmet can protect your unless otherwise designated. Tennessee River Valley’s best paddles— head from hard or sharp objects that may be lurking where to show up, how to get there and below the surface. what to bring along for the ride. TVA PUBLIC LANDS Watch for River Hazards—Watch for fallen tree limbs, One of the most amazing things about the The public lands entrusted to TVA for barbed wire, bridge piers and other hazards that Tennessee River system and its tributaries is stewardship are available for hiking, can snare or entangle you. how easy it is for you to get to places to relax birdwatching, camping, fishing, hunting and recreate. As part of its mission of service, the and other informal recreational pursuits. Be Visible...and Audible—Keep alert to other Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manages its public lands Some important regulations to protect boats. If you believe another boat has not and waters to support recreation so that the Tennessee the resources and your safety should seen you, blow your whistle* and wave your Valley remains one of the best places in the country to live, be followed. You should follow all state paddle to alert the other boat. A flashlight* is work and play. hunting seasons and regulations. In required if you plan to paddle after sunset. addition, motorized vehicles, cutting or Dress for Success—Wear removing vegetation, target shooting THE OCOEE RIVER clothing sufficient to or removal of cultural artifacts are prevent hypothermia and/ Nestled in the Cherokee National Forest of East Tennessee, the Ocoee River is not allowed on TVA public lands. For or sunburn. one of the most popular whitewater rafting adventures in America. From April more information visit www.tva.com/ through October, thrill seekers test themselves on the Ocoee’s Class III and Class undeveloped, or call the TVA’s Public Wear Sunscreen—The CDC recommends applying IV rapids. It takes close coordination between the U.S. Forest Service, Tennessee Lands Information Center toll-free at (800) a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 to help prevent Department of Environmental and Conservation and TVA to make the fun happen. TVA-LAND. sunburn and skin damage. Paddlers flock to the Ocoee to take on an authentic Olympic whitewater course, Don’t Paddle Alone—Paddling is an activity that is but the river has much more to offer, including picnicking, scenic views and, yes, TVA’S DAMS adventurous water. always better with friends and family, anyway. The Ocoee River is regulated by four Tennessee Valley Authority dams; three Never Drink and Paddle—Alcohol impairs coordination in southeastern Tennessee (Ocoee No. 1, Ocoee No. 2 and Ocoee No. 3) and From its headwaters in northern Georgia, where it is known as the Toccoa and judgment. River, the Ocoee River runs 93 miles through western North Carolina and east Blue Ridge Dam in Georgia. Tennessee before it empties into the Hiwassee River above the town of Benton, Communicate Your Plan in Advance—Plan ahead, and let someone who’s not Tenn. Whitewater paddling is popular in the river’s upper and middle reaches Though it feels like a wild ride, the water going to be aboard know your paddling agenda. Be aware that some sections of near Ducktown, Tenn. The upper section boasts the 1-mile Olympic whitewater releases are actually carefully controlled—for the river have no cell phone service. course, while the middle section provides 4.5 miles of rafting downstream below world-class competition the water can’t vary *U.S. Coast Guard Requirement Ocoee Dam No. 2, including Class III-IV rapids. If you’re looking for a smoother significantly. ride, the river becomes Class I at Parksville Lake, signifying a smooth ride with few When paddling near a dam, please know: obstructions and small waves—perfect, in other words, for kayaking, canoeing, The depth and swiftness of the river can PARTNERS: paddleboarding and float fishing. change rapidly. Your safety depends on There are eight public access sites to the Ocoee River where you can put in or obeying all posted safety regulations and take out your paddle craft. Check out local outfitters to get in on the action or get warnings. Information about the recreation at it yourself, but know your limits. releases can be found on https://www.tva. gov/Environment/Recreation/Recreation- Grab your paddles, your gear and this map, and let your imagination be your guide. Release-Schedules. All you need to do is get out there and have a good time. Share your own stories and photos on Instagram or Twitter using #TVAfun, or at www.facebook.com/ It is important to understand the water release schedule before paddling the TVA using our #TVAFun tab. river as the water’s current and depth can change rapidly. Water releases from Ocoee No. 3 and No. 2 are required to paddle these portions of the river. For fishing regulations and license requirements, please check with TWRA or visit www.goodoutdoorstennessee.com. tva.com | facebook.com/TVA | @TVAnews | @TVA 19 -224 4 0219 UPPER OCOEE RIVER d Stansbury Rd h a t h e k L r Rogers Branch River n c nd o e ra ry Po f e B D r s o Acess / Ocoee No. 2 r C Campbell e G Dam Reservation g o Cove Rd R Rock C reek TO tt Ln Flume rewi T R Benton M RELIANCE Rock C MacKaye 2 ree 4 k . Trail McJunkin 25 Campbell Cove DrLaurel Dr Cemetery Rd r TO l e l i O v i Ocoee No. 3 a i r Dr co a T ee R r reek NANTAHALA T Powerhouse C k Johnson Rd Lakeview k Ro c c Department Rd o k NATIONAL FOREST c R o r R s W e r s d e re d Ocoee ater n n p x u u k h E h Whitewater e T T Dav e Rhododendron r Thunder Center en C port Cove Rd t Rock Campground B Little Frog r e o a Wilderness Brush Creek Rd S h Lo r z op P art u a w Q Old Brush Creek Rd k ut 64 CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST r stn L o e op o F h Lo op t C Singo TO s tn Ave e M W 68 PARKSVILLE Bypass Ches tnut Rock Creek Mtn Loop Ches Peavine Rd tnut Trailhead Dr Mtn Brush Creek Rd Dilbeck Loo -Town Rd p Chancey R i v L e r Tanasi o g O o o V l r p i d Trail e F Co ig rt w p p B System o er h k Ro S e a re d C Ocoee No. 3 Dam Reservation/ Commercial Bruc est Fork W Stream Access Boyd Gap e Hollow Rd Beavers Oak St Trailhead Hill Duk Carianne Hl Pin Cutcher St Ln St tand Number 3 Trl S L Dam Rd p ec e Dr w a Brush Creek Austrian Campbell G Car rest Dr Cove Rd Big Frog d nsberry Rd B o y Trailhead DouglasVine St St Wilderness Hill ianne r Rd d Sta u l Upper Put-In Little h p O Hts i Rd London Rd West Fork Rough Crk s Loblolly Dr S e Berry Ln s u Cherokee Hardin Dr r k S Col Mountain Rd Postelle Rd B e h Blu e s Postelle Rd ana Pinecrest Dr School r k T ru e C B e House lege St Raft AccessR Trailhead Bike Trail r Hiawasse St ou C Hill St Main St gh Industrial C r Park Rd St e Hick e 168 Campground k Dam k Ducktown e e SequLonya Main r Kell Dr C ory Ln rus h Cherokee Trl B Main St Marina Building Medical Carr Neubert 64 St 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Willow Ln Center Dr Miles Windy Ridge Rd Stansbury e South Ridge Dr dg Mountain Rd Ri 68 k DIFFICULTY Basedor on the International Scale of River Difculty, the Upper Ocoee River contains sections that areF considered Class III (intermediate rapids with high waves capable of swamping an open canoe, which require complex maneuvering) to Class IV (advanced—powerful rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water, risk or injury to swimmers is moderate to high and water conditions may make self-rescue difcult).