Chattahoochee Can Turn Dangerous Quickly

The Chattahoochee River is one of the metro area’s most attractive features. In fact, visitors from all over the Southeast make the trek to swim, float and paddle down its famed waters. Still, as much fun as the celebrated river is, its innocent appeal can turn dangerous – even deadly – when safety precautions are disregarded, say authorities.

Part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s mission is to constantly educate people on the river’s dangers.

One of the most dangerous things about the river is its rapidly rising water level when Cumming’s Buford Dam is released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lisa Coghlan, Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the Corps of Engineers, stressed that it's important to know when the water will be released.

"We do have unscheduled releases and those times may not be on the release generation schedule - and you need to be aware of that," said Coghlan. "So we're always telling people to call before you put your first foot in the water. And when you are out there recreating always wear a life vest and always pay attention to your surroundings."

Though sirens farther up the river alert people when water from the dam is released, those downriver can be caught in swiftly moving waters without notice. It takes approximately eight hours for water released from the dam to reach Holcomb Bridge Road and about 10 hours until it reaches the Roswell Road bridge, according to Roswell Fire Chief Ricky Spencer.

"During a water release the river can rise up to 11 feet within a matter of minutes, with a force of 12,000 cubic feet per second," Coghlan said.

It's highly critical that when and if you notice rising water to get out immediately.

Another potential danger lies in the temperature of the water, which is a direct result of the dam’s release as well. Since water is released from the bottom of Buford Dam, the temperature is approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities say hypothermia can occur even during the warmest summer months at that temperature.

The Paces Mill Unit of the Recreation Area is located approximately two miles south of Cumberland Mall and Cobb Galleria on US Highway 41. The boat ramp there is used by persons fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting down the river.

And, as always, severe weather is a danger, especially on the river. Watch for late afternoon thunderstorms and get off the river in the event of lightning. The water can rise quickly during a heavy rainfall, causing flash floods, according to the Recreation Area.

“We have seen incidents in which visitors become lost or stranded, as well as instances of minor to serious injuries. At the extreme end of the spectrum, there are fatalities on the river,” Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Spokeswoman Larisa Nachman told Patch.

There have already been three river-related drowning deaths this year, which is an increase over the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s yearly average number of two deaths on the river. Other types of calls are going up too, said Spencer, whose rescue teams have responded to emergencies in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Gwinnett County.

“For some reason our calls have increased this year,” he said. “We believe it is due to people not going out of town for vacations, but [instead] using the resources close to home…the ‘Hooch.’”

The National Recreation Area is currently trying to understand the exact reason for the increase.

“We are still analyzing data regarding a range of incident types on the river,” Nachman said.  

Beyond the science of why more emergencies are occurring, Spencer said his department’s response protocol includes the dispatch of fire and rescue teams, one – or both – of the city’s boats and Swift Water Rescue technicians when a call for help comes from the river.

"People become complacent," he reasoned as to why some get into trouble on the river. "They think 'it can’t happen to me,' well it can and usually does. The people that use the river must understand that even though the river looks nice, calm and [they think] there will be no problems, the river is dangerous. It will sneak up on you before you have a chance to get back to land." 

According to Nachman, more people are visiting the Chattahoochee every year.  

“We encourage people to enjoy themselves on the river,” she said. But “we want them to do it in a safe and responsible manner.”  

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To help ensure Patch readers are able to make the most of local waters, we’ve included some safety tips from the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area below, print them out and take them with you for a day of fun on the river:

• Always be aware of rapidly rising river levels on the Chattahoochee River due to water releases from Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam. Before entering the water directly below either dam you should stop, look and listen ~
• Stop and call for the latest water release schedule from Buford Dam at 770-945-1466 or Morgan Falls Dam at 404-329-1455. Enter these numbers in your cell phone now and use them!
• Look at the river level, if you can see it rising stay off the river!
• Listen for the warning sirens below Buford Dam, if you hear them stay off the river!
• A U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device is required to be worn if you are boating, tube floating, or wading in river areas between (1) Buford Dam and the GA 20 highway bridge and (2) between Morgan Falls Dam and the Morgan Falls boat ramp. You must have a wearable, appropriately sized U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board your watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, rafts, boats, float tubes, inner tubes and air mattresses. Additionally, all children under the age of 10 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD when the watercraft is underway.
• Glass containers are not allowed on the river. Broken glass can cause serious injury to river users and damages personal equipment.
• Operating a power boat while under the influence of alcohol is illegal! Drinking alcohol impairs coordination and judgment putting you at greater risk of injury.
• Watch the weather and head for shore if bad weather threatens. If lightning occurs, get out of the water, stay away from trees, and seek low shelter. Lightweight, quick-drying clothing is adequate in the summer. During cooler seasons wear clothes of natural and synthetic fiber blends. For cold weather wear wool or synthetic fibers -- they retain heat even when wet. Water levels may rise quickly even if it is not raining on you.
• Water in the Chattahoochee is much colder than you think. Water is released from the bottom of Buford Dam and is approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This cold water is great for trout, but dangerous for you. Beware of hypothermia, the severe lowering of the body's core temperature. When exposed to these low temperatures, exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in less than 30 minutes. If you fall into this cold water, get out quickly and warm yourself. Hypothermia can occur even in the warmest summer months.
• Always wear appropriate footwear. Although glass containers are not allowed on the river today, you stand a good chance of finding glass that was left in the past.
• Let a family member or friend know your plans. Give them the name of the park unit and trailhead if you are staying on land. Give them the name of the parks where you are putting-in and taking-out if you are floating the river. If you do not check back with them by a predetermined time they should call the park dispatch at 770-952-0370 or dial 911. Remember, the boat ramp at Paces Mill is the last take-out point in the park. It is located a short distance downstream from the Interstate 75 underpass on the right side of the river.
• Bring drinking water and snacks or non-perishable food. Drink and eat periodically to avoid dehydration and keep your energy levels high. Do not drink the river water.
• Never dive or jump in the river. There are dangers in the form of submerged rocks, murky water, and fluctuating water levels that can cause serious injury.