Hydrology & Hazards of the 1996 Olympic Course
301 - Ocoee River Hydrology and Hazards covers many of the rapids of the Ocoee River. This article covers the 1996 Olympic Course. Engineers associated with the TVA redesigned about a quarter-mile of the riverbed for the Olympics. In addition to narrowing the channel by roughly two-thirds, hazards were addressed. Undercuts and sieves were filled with concrete. Additionally, some features were added to create a worthy Olympic whitewater venue for the Atlanta games.
Course Analysis & Safety Profile
The video above features a playful route through the Class IV whitewater. This section is the safest Class IV whitewater for swimmers on the Ocoee River. However, it has been the site of deaths from overexertion. This is not uncommon in whitewater. You should honestly assess your own level of fitness before taking on whitewater activities. This is especially true above the level of Class III. Whitewater activities come with inherent risks. The inability to swim and poor levels of fitness increase these risks.
Rapid Sequence
The Olympic section of the Upper Ocoee River includes several rapids. These rapids, in the order encountered, are: Welcome Ledge, Smiley Face, Slam Dunk, Callihan's, Godzilla, Humongous, and Bryce's Blunder.
A competent guide in coordination with a competent crew can run this quarter-mile of Class IV whitewater rather quickly. Any errors will, however, receive penalty points and possibly result in thrilling and demanding swimming. The hydraulics are capable of recirculating swimmers. Underlying cardiac disease may increase risks to swimmers. Fatalities have occurred here in this manner.
All that said, this is the best whitewater the Upper Ocoee has to offer to thrill-seekers.
