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| Friday May 09, 2008 |
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By LA Jackson
Paralleling scenic Highway 64, this section of the Ocoee is a river restrained. It is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's network of power-generating water works. Through much of the year, most of the water is diverted through a large flume connected to a power generation station, but 112 days a year, the water returns to the Ocoee, creating excellent opportunities for rafters and kayakers to challenge Class III and Class IV rapids. Whitewater sports on the Ocoee are relatively new, resulting, for the most part, from a flume break in the late 1970's which sent the full force of the water tumbling back down the river bed. Commercial rafting began soon after, but, by 1984, the flume had been rebuilt, and recreation on the river was about to land on the rocks. However, a significant grassroots effort resulted in legislation that permitted commercial whitewater outfitters access to the waters of the Ocoee 112 days a year for 35 years. So, on those special days when the Ocoee is allowed to return to its natural state, like a spigot, the river is turned "on," and the fun begins. If the name "Ocoee" sounds familiar, it is probably because this is the river where the Olympic whitewater slalom competitions where held in 1996. In preparation for the event, from 1993 to 1995, the USDA Forest Service built a world-class whitewater section on the Upper or Olympic section of the river. It has been six years since the Olympics, but this part of the Ocoee still hasn't lost its bite, as several international competitions are still being held there each year. In fact, the National Whitewater Freestyle Championships will be held on the site this year (2002) from October 10 through 13. Overlooking the Olympic section of the river is the Forest Service's Ocoee Whitewater Center, which serves as a hub for not only aquanauts looking for wet 'n' wild adventures but also for hikers and bikers wanting to "head up into the hills." A 20-mile network of trails through the Cherokee National Forest is currently in place, including the Old Copper Road Trail, an easy 2.4-mile stroll into the woods and along the river that was once used by miners to haul copper ore from Ducktown. The Center is also a good place to just slow down and vegetate. Rocking chairs along the walkways overlooking the Ocoee, allow visitors to sit back and watch the activities on the river. And when the river is down, cool pools of calm water dot the riverbed, creating ideal places to wade or just hang out. Whitewater Adventure Below the Olympic section of the river is the Middle Ocoee, which is where much of the commercial whitewater rafting takes place. Last year, over 250,000 people rocked 'n' rode this part of the Ocoee. The section churns with Class III and IV rapids, which meant very little to me until I read the descriptions: Class III--difficult, numerous rapids, high waves; Class IV--irregular waves, dangerous rocks, boiling eddies. "What have I gotten myself into?" was the $64,000 question that crossed my mind after I had signed up to sail these high seas with the Ocoee Adventure Center, one of 23 rafting outfitters that regularly ride the river when the TVA turns on the water. Because the river has to be "turned on," driving up to the rafting site can be a bit confusing because the river is usually down, exposing plenty of rocks and very little water. Needless to say, "Where's the water?" is always the number one wonder of first-timers getting ready to ride the Ocoee. This question was answered soon enough for me because, by the time I checked in at the Ocoee Adventure Center, and was instructed on safety and driven to the launch point, the Ocoee was refilled, ready, raging and waiting. My guide was Stefan Primke, a slim, trim German with a twinkle in his eyes that made me think he was always up to something--and he usually was. The day I went down the river with Primke was the same day Germany had defeated the U.S. in World Cup soccer, and he said to my four raft mates and me in a Teutonic growl, "This is a good day. I feel like celebrating. We are going to have some real fun on the river today." Coupling this remark with the fact that, ahead of me, were rapids with such quaint names as "Grumpy," "Broken Nose," "Double Suck," "Tablesaw," "Diamond Splitter" and "Hell's Hole," with a weak smile, I tugged the straps to my lifejacket and helmet just a little tighter. The Middle Ocoee is five miles long and takes approximately two hours to raft, but time is relative on such a course because, just as time nearly stops on a lazy river, it flies by on a ripping, churning waterway. Primke was the captain of the boat, and when he yelled "Paddle!" we did--well, actually, we had to because he had his hands full steering the boat, so we provided the muscle to get us out of and, depending on how devilish Primke was feeling, into trouble. Rather than take rapids head on, we spun through some of them like a top and went over others backwards. And, after passing some rapids, we occasionally turned around and drove into the lower backwash, causing us to "surf" the lower portion, which provided plenty of opportunities to "snarf"--a cute way to say spitting water out the nose. Well, Primke might have acted crazy, but he was crazy like a floating fox. For all his antics, he never took any uncalculated risks. He was first and foremost a guide in charge of the safety of his passengers. He constantly watched the river for problem spots and also kept his eyes on other rafts for any signs of trouble. I saw similar professionalism from other guides on the river, and, even though three different companies were rafting the course that day, they all seemed to work together to provide the most fun and the least problems for their clients. Our trip ended too soon at the Caney Creek Take-Out, and, even after being bumped, dunked, wrenched and drenched for two hours, I was ready to go again. Whitewater rivers have that magnetic effect on adventure-seeking rafters because there is always a sense of uncertainty, but this is coupled with both the grip of excitement of being on a raging river and the exhilaration of making it through a challenging course. It is a literal and figurative rush, and on the Ocoee, when they turn the water on, it is a trip to remember. Practicalities The U.S. Forest Service's Ocoee Whitewater Center is open seven days a week, April through November, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday only from after Thanksgiving until April 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festivals and other fun events are scheduled throughout the year. For more information, call 1-877-496-5197 toll free or visit their web site at www.r8web.com/ocoee. The Ocoee Adventure Center and other rafting outfitters schedule trips down the Ocoee on Saturdays and Sundays from the middle of March through the beginning of November. In June, July and August, water also flows on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Raft riders must be at least 12 to 13 years old. For more information about OAC trips, call 1-888-723-8622 toll free or visit their Web site at ocoeeadventurecenter.com. Getting There -- The Ocoee River rafting region is about an hour's drive east of Chattanooga,Tn., which is served by US Airways. For more information or reservations, visit www.usairways.com. In the Nearby Area:
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TENNESSEE,
USA -- Bottled lightning, in liquid form. For whitewater enthusiasts looking
for plenty of action, this is a good way to describe a stretch of the
Ocoee River just over the North Carolina line in the mountains of Tennessee
between the towns of Ocoee and Ducktown. 
Hiking
Trails at the Whitewater Center