About
Chattahoochee River, Georgia Alabama Florida — 1540 De Soto, 1840s-1880s Industrial, 1976 Wild/Scenic 430-mi Buford Dam. Cold-water releases from Buford Dam sustain 48 miles of Class I-II paddling through Fulton and Cobb counties at 2,400 CFS average (optimal 750-2,500). The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, established in 1978 as an urban national park, protects this corridor through metro Atlanta. Buford Dam to Roswell offers trout water and tubing through Class I-II runs. The Roswell to Paces Ferry section delivers urban whitewater up to Class I-III. Below that, Paces Ferry to Peachtree Creek flattens to Class I urban floating. Georgia Scenic River designation covers the corridor, with Trout Unlimited holding conservation partnership status. Shoot the Hooch and High Country Outfitters run commercial operations on the river. USGS gauge 02336000 tracks the dam-controlled flows that keep this urban stretch consistently paddleable.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.