Where to Canoe in Atlanta

Rottenwood Creek - This is a great creek in metro Atlanta, right next to the Braves’ stadium. Due to all the impervious surface, this creek goes often once leaves are off trees — though water quality is not great! At 250cfs, this is boney. At 600cfs, it’s nice surfing. At 1500cfs, huge holes form. Four main rapids: a large slide (Confederate Flag), the rapid below gauge bridge, a multi-tiered constriction drop (Aker’s Mill), and a continuous mini-gorge. Scout the man-made pipe hazards (and wood) before you put on—doing a bicycle shuttle is a great way to do this.

Sope Creek - Sope Creek is a fun sister run to Rottenwood Creek that is just as flashy. It is a little easier, noting-wise, however the hazards are a bit worse and the shuttle a little less bailable. Worth it if can catch both on the same day, however!

Chattahoochee River - Ah, way down yonder by the Chattahoochee… this stretch of river always has water (as of now!) and was formerly the site of the (in)famous shoot-the-hooch summer event. No particularly great play sites — even at higher water — though the play isn’t any worse at low water: the devil’s racecourse channel opens up at low water with decent squirt and ender spots.

Proctor Creek - The best whitewater within city limits! However, this creek is PO-LLUT-ED— expect to smell gasoline and see a wrecked car (and escooters) in the creek. A couple fun rapids — the bridge rapid before the gulch sewage inflow and a little drop I’ll call “the Bankhead Bounce.” And it’s on MARTA!

Nancy Creek - Slightly more gradient than the North or South Fork of the Peachtree. Definitely a different view of the city. A fun canoe float at low water and a interesting exploratory run for those with the skills to avoid wood in a flood.