By SUZANNE WELANDER

This is a paddling guide to a trip on the Hiawassee River in the Tennessee River watershed, from Georgia Highways 17/75 to Lake Chatuge. CLASS, I-II; LENGTH, 8.3 miles; TIME, 5 hours; GAUGE, web and visual; LEVEL, 2.5 feet; GRADIENT, 13 feet per mile; SCENERY, C. VIEW MAP

The Hiawassee River flows north into Lake Chatuge near the Town of Hiawassee, Below the Chatuge Dam, it continues into Tennessee, and the spelling of the name changes from Hiawassee to Hiwassee.

The Hiawassee River is a coldwater mountain stream with its headwaters on the northern side of Unicoi Gap in Towns County. Flowing north, the river becomes the major feeder stream for Lake Chatuge near the town of Hiawassee. The community jealously guards the river and its fish. “No trespassing” signs are posted prominently at most access points, and strung across the river itself are at least two signs warning against entry. (See Pages, Who owns Georgia’s Rivers) The most easily accessed trip through the gentle valley portion of the river is described below. Downstream of the dam, the river emerges in Tennessee with a new spelling: Hiawassee.

DESCRIPTION: The reaches of the Hiawassee above this section roughly parallel GA 17/75. The stream is occasionally visible from the highway, but it is too small to be considered feasible for boaters. It is not until after Soapstone Creek and Corbin Creek have added their flow that the river becomes suitable for canoeing. If you can manage to secure access from the private landowners, this Class II stretch is runnable only when the water is fairly high. (more…)