River Flow Rate

The Chattahoochee River within the park is subject to scheduled water releases from Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam resulting in dramatic changes of the river flow rate. Inclement weather within the Chattahoochee River watershed will also result in unpredictable changes in the river flow rate. With a rapid increase of the river flow rate you can easily be swept off your feet while wading, pushed in to sweepers while boating, stranded on an island, or hanging on for dear life in challenging rapids. Then when the river flow rate drops you may find yourself carrying your boat over the rocks.

So please use the information in the table below to help you plan your safe day on the river. The table lists the recommended flow rates for each water based recreational activity. The park does not recommend any water based activities when the flow rate is above 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Recreational Activity	Maximum Recommended Flow Rate
Tubes	Below 2,500 cfs
Canoes, Kayaks, Rowing, or Stand Up Paddleboards	Below 4,000 cfs
Rafts	Below 5,000 cfs
Guided Canoe, Kayak, or Stand Up Paddleboard Trip	Below 5,000 cfs
Guided Raft or Fishing Trips	Below 8,000 cfs

 

Playing It Safe!

Now that you know what the maximum flow rate is for the type of watercraft you'll be using check the river flow rate for the segment of river you'll be floating. Find your put-in location in the table below then click on the link to the right of your location. At the new page you'll see the current flow rate at that location.

Put-in Location	River Gage To Check
Buford Dam (No Tubes) Ga. 20 Bridge (No Tubes) Settles Bridge (No Tubes)	Below Buford Dam
McGinnis Ferry (No Tubes) Rogers Bridge Abbotts Bridge	Above McGinnis Ferry Bridge
Medlock Bridge Jones Bridge Garrard Landing	At Medlock Bridge
Island Ford Don White Park Riverside Park Chattahoochee RIver Park Chattahoochee Nature Center Overlook Park	Above Roswell, Georgia
Morgan Falls Dam Johnson Ferry Powers Island Whitewater Creek	Below Morgan Falls Dam