Class V.2
Falling Water is so pretty it can inspire a painting.
Painting by Marlo Wright inspired by Adam Goshorn's picture.
To see more of Marlo's paintings Click on the picture above.
River Description:
Falling Water is a big three rapid run (sort-of). It was first opened up by Tim Williams and Andy Turner. It has been run all the way to the valley by Marc Lyle and his gang, but many run the big three and then carry back up to the car. The put-in is really neat and it is in a land trust, very pretty area. Wayne Gentry's video "Vertical Addiction" has great footage of this nice run. This one runs a lot after summer down pours for some reason, which is a nice break from the Ocoee.
The top section has 3 monster drops, that are somewhat straight forward, but they are big, and the paddler on his first time will need air traffic control from his paddling buddies to keep his bearings straight.
After the big three it's game on to give you perspective you will be looking town on the township of Falling Water and you will be performing boat assisted hikes. This runs is for the paddler who likes Morgan, Middle and Brush. It is unforgiving. Marc Lyle has described as one of the toughest paddles he ever performed.
River Description: From Matthew Wallace
The Falling Water Gorge was one of the most amazing places I have been. It is rare to find such a magical place so close to a large city. The gorge is very tight and intimate. It gives off an eerie feeling that you are in another world. The top section is filled with typical bedrock slides and boofs with one boulder rapid being thrown into the mix.
The highlight of the run is Dragon's Lair. The Dragon's Lair is a huge rapid consisting of 3 difficult drops, with a small eddy above the first drop to get out and scout or portage from. everyone was amazed at what they saw-a beautiful walled in gorge filled with incredible drops. The first drop was a real tight 12ft shoulder boof into tight slot with a small pool immediately flowing into the next drop. The next drop was a 10 footer with a nice hole and undercuts on both side. After the second drop you get a tricky little rapid where you must eddy out above the last drop. The last drop was definitely the hardest of all three drops. It was a 15-18 foot drop onto rock which immediately transitions to a fast slide.
The slide banks hard right and leads into a shallow 15 footer. After running the third drop the creek picks up gradient. You have 1 rapid followed by an un-runnable 60ft drop. From here down the creek was full on. From the Dragon's Lair down the creek will be better with more water than less. The boulder gardens are full on down there, and currently choked with wood. Whether you hike out after the Dragon's Lair, or continue to the valley Falling Water will be a big day . Falling Water is definitely one of the most quality runs in the Chattanooga area and definitely the most beautiful.
Matthew Wallace
Maps:
Watershed Map (to find location and size of creek) Click Here
Special thanks to Steve Zerfos for making the map.
Topo Map: Click Here
A special thanks to Randy Hale of NorthRiverGeographic for the map
MAP:
Map provided and donated by
