Town of 
Tallulah Falls

PO Box 94
Tallulah Falls, Georgia  30573
info@tallulahfallsgeorgia.org
Area Attractions | Water Releases | Upcoming Events | History | Merchants

What are the Water Releases?

In the mid 1990's, the Georgia Power Company Hydroelectric Projects along the Tallulah River came up for re-licensing from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  Part of the re-licensing process required looking at alternate uses of the river besides strictly hydroelectric production.  This gave whitewater groups, conservation groups, and local businesses an opportunity to lobby FERC to ask  Georgia Power Co. to vary or change the amount of water released over Tallulah Dam.  Tthere is now an increased daily flow of water over Tallulah Dam from 0-15 cubic feet per second to 35-50 cfs., whitewater releases which provides enough water for kayakers to paddle the Gorge, and aesthetic releases that create beautiful waterfalls comparable to what it was like before the River was dammed in 1912.


 
Year 2009 Water Releases
In Tallulah Gorge
Whitewater Boater Releases
500 - 700 Cubic Feet/Second

April 4- April 5

April 11- April 12
November 7 - November 8
November 14- November 15
November 21- November 22 
 

Aesthetic Releases
200 Cubic Feet/Second

April 18 - April 19
April 25- April 26

May 2 - May 3
May 9 - May 10
May 16 - May 17 

September 12 - September 13
September 19 - September 20
September 26 - September 27

October 7 & 9

October 14 & 16
October 21 & 23
October 28 & 30

Seeing the Falls during the Releases
Aesthetic Release Dates: Due to unsafe water levels, no permits are issued for Gorge floor access during the aesthetic releases.  Hiking along the North and South Rim Trails and walking down the stairs on the Hurricane Falls Suspension Trail is allowed.  You may also continue down the steps on the south side of the Gorge to the viewing platform at the base of Hurricane Falls.  Call the State Park at 706-754-7970 for more information.

Whitewater Release Dates: The North and South Rim Trails are open for hiking during the Whitewater Release days as well as the steps off the North Rim Trail leading to the Suspension bridge above Hurricane Falls.  Accessing the steps on the South side of the Gorge is not permited since that is the way the  kayakers enter the Gorge.  The steps to the viewing platform at the base of Hurricane Falls are also off limits to hikers.  Like the aesthetic  release dates, no gorge floor permits are given out.

The releases may also be seen from the overlook porch at Tallulah Point Overlook, which offers the only free roadside view of Tallulah Gorge.  www.tallulahpoint.com