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

Last updated: November 9, 2020

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Phone:

678-538-1200
Call 770-992-6585 for non-emergency law enforcement assistance for any event that does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to call 770-992-6585 are for property crime (car break-ins, vandalism), suspicious activity, or a threat to the park's resources (digging). Dial 911 when there is a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to dial 911 are for missing person, fire, physical altercation, or injury.

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