Area Waterways

Lake Blue Ridge

The Toccoa Power Company, a subsidiary of the Tennessee Electric Power Company constructed the lake and dam over a five year period starting in 1925. The TVA bought the dam and generating plant on August 15, 1939. At this time the TVA acquired 7,076 acres of land around the lake and transferred 4,073 acres to the U.S. Forestry Service.

The purpose in building the lakes and dams, were to control the serious problem of mountain floods. Controlling the water flow not only offered a safe alternative, creating hydro dams could generate the much needed demand for electricity. Safety and modern convenience were the original purpose for creating the lakes. Later, the recreational benefits of a mountain lake would draw the attention of a commerce that had all but disappeared, “vacationers.”

Boating, fishing and other watersports bring a steady flow of seasonal visitors to the 3,290 acre lake with over 100 miles of Lake Blue Ridge shoreline. Summer homes, as well as year-round residences occupy some of the Lake Blue Ridge shores. There are several boat ramps, a public swimming and picnic areas. Blue Ridge reservoir is 11 miles long and has 65 miles of shoreline, 25 percent of which is developed, 80 percent of the shoreline on Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, managed by the USDA Forest Service.

Forest service recreation areas include the Lake Blue Ridge Campground, off Aska Road in Blue Ridge, which has 90 campsites, a picnic area, boat ramp and loop trail along the lake shore. Morganton Point Campground, in Morganton, features a public swimming area, along with 43 campsites, picnic tables and pavilion and a boat ramp. Another boat ramp is available at Lakewood Landing near Morganton.

Nantahala River

The Nantahala River is popular with whitewater rafters and whitewater kayakers, who often refer to the river as the “Nanny.” The river begins high in the mountains and flows into Fontana Lake. The raftable part of the river, the lower section below the powerhouse, is 8 miles long and has class II and III rapids. Rafters can choose to go with a commercial outfitter on a guided trip or rent their own raft. The 12 commercial outfitters are permitted by the USDA Forest Service, which mandates that children must weigh at least 60 pounds or be at least 7 years old. Private paddlers must pay a user fee and wrist bands are available for purchase at a variety of outfitters or stores in the Gorge area. Two launch sites allow either commercial guests or private paddlers access to the river.

A serpentine two-lane road Hwy 19/Hwy 74 that was once part of the Trail of Tears runs along the river, and there are picnic areas next to the river. The flow of the river is controlled by a dam owned by Duke Energy. This means that water levels are consistent when the river is “on,” usually during daytime hours, but increased rain or a need to lower Nantahala Lake may mean that the Nantahala River is running 24 hours a day. Duke Energy usually schedules dam maintenance for November, and the river is then “off.” The river is approximately 52 degrees for most of the year, because the water released comes from the bottom of Lake Nantahala. The Nantahala River empties into Fontana Lake on the Little Tennessee River just below Nantahala Outdoor Center. Private paddlers must take out upriver from the Rivers End Restaurant.

The Upper section of the river, above the powerhouse, also runs along a two-lane road. This advanced and steep, narrow section of the Nantahala is called the Cascades by local paddlers. During high water (after a big rain), kayakers test their skill on Class IV-V rapids such as “The Horns of God”. A tall waterfall cascades into the river.

Commercial rafting began on the Nantahala in 1972 when Payson and Aurelia Kennedy and Horace Holden Sr. opened Nantahala Outdoor Center in the old Tote ‘N Tarry Motel. The river is now one of the most popular rivers in the world, with over 250,000 paddlers annually.

Ocoee River

To the Cherokee, who named the scenic Ocoee River Gorge, this was the “apricot vine place.” To the whitewater enthusiasts who flock here from all over the world, there’s only one word for the spot—fun. TVA manages its dams to achieve a variety of purposes, including recreation, and the three Ocoee dams are no exception:

• Power. The three Ocoee dams together generate more than 67,000 kilowatts of electricity, using an ingeniously engineered system to boost the river’s power.
• Whitewater. The dams also make the Ocoee one of the premier sport rivers in the Southeast. Site of the 1996 Summer Olympics whitewater competitions, the Ocoee boasts the mile-long Olympic whitewater course and a four-and-a-half-mile rafting area.
• Schedules. Both the whitewater course and the rafting area are fed by regular releases of water from TVA’s dams. The schedules are published here.
• Attractions. Recreation in the area is not limited to the river itself. The beautiful wooded peaks of Cherokee National Forest rise above the river and lovely Parksville Reservoir, behind Ocoee Dam No. 1. Opportunities abound for swimming, picnicking, and boating. The shore of the reservoir features U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, as well as a commercially run inn.

Whether you like your water white and fast or deep and peaceful, whether you’re looking for a thrill a minute or a quiet drift through a summer afternoon, the Ocoee has it all.

Toccoa River

The Toccoa River finds its headwaters in the wilderness mountain reaches of southwestern Union County in the Chattahoochee National Forest on the Eastern United States, Western Continental Divide. From there the Toccoa River flows into the upper remote reaches of Fannin County and heads northward. This river is surprisingly broad for a high mountain river and very popular for canoeing and fishing alike Some areas of the river flow through private property, when in doubt contact the local forestry to make sure you are fishing and or canoeing in public areas.

Following its path thru the mountains the river passes thru the remote historic community of Dial weaving its way thru high range pasturelands. The river winds and turns with whitewater cascading over large river stones making its way to the big river bend where you will find a low water fall. Large boulders block the river to the left side forcing the river into a small cascade on the right creating a whitewater rush along the river’s run. This section of Toccoa River flows through private property and should be respected as such.

After the river’s bend, the Toccoa River winds thru the mountains thick forest on its descending journey to the lower valley of Fannin County. Reaching the mountain valley floor the Toccoa River gathers and flows into the water of beautiful Lake Blue Ridge on the edge of the mountain town of Blue Ridge in Fannin County, Georgia. Boating recreation and bass fishing are a favorite on the waters of Lake Blue Ridge one of the many mountain lakes created and regulated by the TVA, Tennessee Valley Authorities.

Flowing thru the locks of Lake Blue Ridge Dam and past the powerhouse the river continues its journey northward heading for the Tennessee border. This section of the Toccoa River running across the valley floor of Fannin County from the dam to the Georgia, Tennessee state line is considered some of the finest fly fishing in all North Georgia, this info the Highlander personally received from a very good source.

Once the Toccoa River reaches the state line it passes under the bridge where the state line towns of McCaysville Georgia and Copperhill Tennessee are joined and immediately becomes the Ocoee River. The Ocoee River follows its path across the Copper Basin before entering the Ocoee River Gorge in Tennessee Cherokee National Forest. The Ocoee River is the Mecca of white water rafting and one of the greatest white water rivers in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains with an official Olympic seal of approval. Due to early mining operations in the Copper Basin and the wild waters of the Ocoee River Gorge, fishing and the Ocoee River are not compatible. The Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge combine for an assortment fun and sport and great water recreation.