The Ocoee River



Whitewater enthusiasts have been coming to the Ocoee River since 1976 for what is considered both a sport and world-wide recreation. Due to the circumstances, and being in the right place at the right time, an unused section of the Ocoee was ideal for Olympic racing. All that was needed to create the first natural river Olympic course was an ancient river bed, expert engineering, some strategically placed boulders and the power of rushing mountain water provided by nature and a TVA dam.

Left behind from the 1996 Summer Olympics is the 7,600 sq ft. Ocoee Whitewater Center. It is now being used for public enjoyment and is operated by the U.S. Forestry Service in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest.

The center has large windows overlooking the river, and is designed in natural stones and timber beams. Inside you will find large color photos of the Olympic event, along with displays of historic photos of the region.

Whitewater rapids in the Eastern U.S. are rated between 1-6. A #6 rated rapid is considered unsafe for commercial rafting. The upper Ocoee has three sets of #5 rapids over its five mile run, two of which are located within the newly constructed 1,700-ft. Olympic run. There are over 60,000 tons of boulders strategically placed to form a competitive racing channel 1,700-feet long, with river banks that were narrowed from 200-feet to a 70-100 foot width. Rather than leave the river bed dry as it had been in the past, the TVA and U.S. Forestry decided to make the upper Ocoee river available for periodic use, including 20 days of competitive events. For the first time ever, the upper Ocoee was opened to commercial rafting companies in September 1997.

Diehard spectators who enjoy whitewater watching along the lower Ocoee, [or what has recently been retitled the middle Ocoee] have to look for minimal parking and usually have to work their way down large rocks and boulders to the river's bank, but it's worth the challenge.

Since the Olympics, river and pedestrian traffic has increased immensely and proper planning created ample room for everyone. Visitors have convenient parking and can stroll along sidewalks on both sides of the banks, near the Olympic Center or sit on boulders along the edge of the river to watch rafters, kayakers, and canoeists being thrown about by the current. The facilities make it perfect for family enjoyment.

A road was built along the north bank of the Ocoee in 1851 to accommodate the transportation of copper from the mines in the upper valley of the "Copper Basin." Most of the old road is gone, but a part of the road has been restored. This road leads from the Olympic Whitewater Center and runs east 2.4 miles along the banks of the Ocoee. About a half mile up the trail you'll come to a set of #5-rated rapids called "Mickey's Ledge," a favorite spot for photographers and a great point of excitement for rafters and river guides.

The opening of the upper Ocoee has brought a lot of excitement to the area. Rafters now have the opportunity to take on the Olympic course, an experience to write home about. Local rafting companies selected their most experienced guides to test the currents of this recently opened whitewater run. Kayakers and canoeists have descended upon these waters like a feeding frenzy of piranha, diving, spinning, powering into the rapids. They take on the mighty hydraulics, holding their own until ejected out and down the river.

Safety and teamwork are everything, from a rafting company and river-guide's point of view.