Tallulah River
About
Four release days per year transform the Tallulah Gorge from a dry rocky chasm into 2.5 miles of Class IV-V whitewater through Rabun and Habersham counties. Georgia Power's hydroelectric project has controlled flows since 1913, leaving the famous gorge section runnable only during scheduled releases when water pushes 500-900 CFS through technical drops and undercut granite walls. The state park manages permits and access for these release weekends — the only way to legally run the gorge section. Above the impoundment, the Tallulah runs 45 miles total length at Class I-II on natural flows averaging 320 CFS, while below the Tugaloo confluence it flattens to Class I mixed bass water. The FERC hydroelectric project designation means release schedules are set years in advance, and paddlers plan their seasons around these four precious opportunities. Tallulah Gorge State Park coordinates the permitting process and provides the only legal put-in access during release events.
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.