⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification··Know this river?
15 mi
Length
Class III–V
Difficulty
500–2000 cfs
Optimal
860 cfs
Avg Flow
790 cfs
Hist. Median
#02177000
USGS Gauge
National Wild & Scenic River, Chattahoochee National Forest
Georgia side of the legendary Chattooga — Section IV with the infamous Five Falls is among the most challenging and iconic whitewater runs in the southeastern United States. Deliverance country, wild and uncompromising. A National Wild & Scenic River flanked by the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Georgia reach pushes Class III–V water from Bull Sluice through the Five Falls sequence.
Trip sections
Section III — Class III, Georgia/South Carolina border
Section IV — Class III–V, Five Falls and Bull Sluice
Five Falls — Class IV–V, the marquee sequence
Self-Issue Permit Required
Chattooga Self-Issue Permit
A free self-issue permit is required for day use on this section.
Free self-issue permit at trailhead kiosks at Earl\u2019s Ford, Sandy Ford, US 76 Bridge, and other access points. Required for all paddlers on Sections III and IV. Section IV (Class III–V) is the most-paddled stretch and includes the Five Falls sequence. The Chattooga is the only river east of the Mississippi designated entirely as Wild & Scenic; private boating only on the upper sections, no commercial outfitters above US 76.
Last verified: 2025 · Always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.
Outfitters
Southeastern Expeditions
Chattooga rafting since 1972, Clayton GA
Wildwater Chattooga
Section III and IV guided trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.