Top 10 Things to Know About the Ocoee River
- The Ocoee River has technically two names: the Tocca River and the Ocoee River.
- The Ocoee River’s name is derived from Cherokee Native American Roots.
- At the 1996 Summer Olympics, the whitewater event was held on the Ocoee River.
- The 93-mile section between the Ocoee Dam #3 and the Ocoee Dam #2 is the only part of the Ocoee River that has substantial whitewater rapids.
- The Ocoee Dam constructed in 1913 prevented the flow of water down the middle river bed.
- Consistently, the middle section of the Ocoee River is floated by more people than any other whitewater river in the country.
- A congressional agreement was negotiated to provide 116 days of water release on the Ocoee River for the next 35 years, with the outfitters paying a total cost recovery for all power lost to TVA.
- For the 93 miles that the Ocoee/Toccoa River flows from the confluence of Canada and Mauldin creeks to the Hiwassee River, it drops from 2,120 ft of elevation to 750 feet
- We here at Ocoee Outdoors were apart of the founding crew for whitewater rafting on the Ocoee!
- Being one of the best whitewater rivers in the country has only been possible because of our rafters.
1. The Ocoee River has Two Names
The Toccoa River and Ocoee River are the names in use for a single 93-mile-long (150 km) river that flows northwestward through the southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. The river is called the Toccoa for its 56 miles (90 km) through Georgia, until it reaches the twin cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, at the truss bridge which connects Georgia 5 (Blue Ridge Street) with Tennessee 68 and Georgia 60 (Ocoee Street and Toccoa Street). The remainder is called the Ocoee through Tennessee.
2. The Ocoee’s Cherokee Roots
The name Ocoee originates from the Cherokee name for Passiflora incarnata, Ocoee. Toccoa comes from the Cherokee term for “where the Catawbas lived”.
3. An Olympians River
Olympic kayaker Joe Jacobi led a successful effort to bring the Atlanta Olympic white-water event to the Ocoee River in 1996. This was the first time the event was performed on a natural river.
4. A Small Portion that Packs a Punch
For the 93 miles that the Ocoee River flows the sections below Ocoee Dam #3 and Ocoee Dam #2 are the only parts of the river that have substantial whitewater rapids. There are most likely more rapids that were submerged by the creations of the lakes behind these dams.
5. A Quick Diversion
The water on the middle section of the Ocoee River was diverted down a five-mile wooden flume to a powerhouse downstream to make hydroelectric power. In September of 1976, a rock slide heavily damaged the flume line allowing water to consistently flow down the river bed for the first time since the Dam was constructed in 1913.
6. And the Winner Is…
Consistently the middle section of the Ocoee River is floated by more people than any other whitewater river in the country. With over 200,000 commercial guests rafting and 10,000 privately boating, the middle Ocoee provides a lot of enjoyment to a lot of people. Explore our whitewater rafting trips.
7. I’m Just a Bill
In 1983, the completion of the repaired flume line was getting ready to come back online and water was set to disappear from the riverbed once again. Congress acted to save the whitewater recreation that rose while the flume was being fixed. An agreement was negotiated to provide 116 days of water release for the next 35 years, with the outfitters paying a total cost recovery for all power lost to TVA.
8. Look Out Below
For the 93 miles that the Ocoee/Toccoa River flows from the confluence of Canada and Mauldin creeks to the Hiwassee River, it drops from 2,120 ft of elevation to 750 feet. The upper Ocoee section has an average of 50 feet per mile drop for its five miles.
9. It’s All About Tradition
We here at Ocoee Outdoors were apart of the founding crew for whitewater rafting on the Ocoee! We have helped create memories and experiences for a lifetime since 1776.
10. What’s Next?
Being one of the best whitewater rivers in the country has only been possible because of our rafters. There’s only one more thing you need to know about the Ocoee River; it’s ready for you! Get your crew together and come rafting on a river known for its world-class rafting. You do not want to miss this!
