By Suzanne Welander

From Griffin FerryRoad to GA Hwy 152 (a distance of approximately 7.1 miles) and from GA Hwy 152 to GA Hwy 292 ( a distance of approximately 6.8 miles) View map

Clear dark waters run sparkling along the Ohopee’s contrasting bottom and banks of sun-drenched white sand. This is the westernmost and northernmost “blackwater” river in Georgia, an environment often encountered on Coastal Plain streams.

What a fluke! In the deepest recesses of the 2008 winter drought, the Ohoopee River crested its banks and flooded the surrounding wetlands for two weeks running — while surrounding watersheds went lacking for rain. The resulting high water flows hid the white sand beaches this blackwater river is known for, instead making it possible to paddle around streamside second residences and sneak through inundated forest shortcuts that opened up on the inside curve of the river’s oxbows. We paddled these uppermost sections of the river for two consecutive weeks, using an unflappable taxi service out of Reidsville to complete the shuttle.

Burgundy-red waters run clear and sparkling over the contrasting bottom and banks of sun-drenched white sand on the Ohoopee. A tributary of the Altamaha River, it is the western and northernmost river sporting this Coastal Plain combination. A shading canopy of moss-draped cypress and hardwoods combines with the Ohoopee’s natural tranquility and remote, pristine setting to set it apart as a showplace of nature and one of the most exotic and beautiful streams in southern Georgia.

DESCRIPTION: Wildlife is varied and plentiful throughout the wide bottomland swamp corridor that cradles the Ohoopee along its serpentine course. Small islands, meandering by-passes, and oxbows are not uncommon, particularly in the reaches below Pendelton
Creek. The current is moderate throughout, and the level of difficulty is Class I, with sharp bends and trees growing in the stream keeping it interesting. Runnable except during dry periods downstream of the US 1 bridge in Emanuel County, the stream’s width ranges from 30 to 45 feet, widens to between 50 and 65 feet at GA 292 west of Collins, and culminates at 80 feet as it approaches the Altamaha. Hazards consist primarily of occasional deadfalls and a dam that must be portaged above the GA 56 bridge outside Reidsville (G). Numerous white sandbars and beaches lend themselves to swimming, picnicking, and canoe-camping. The banks, also of white sand, are 2–4 feet high and slope at approximately 30–45 degrees. The surrounding terrain is mixed lowland swamp forests of bald cypress, willow, pond cypress, swamp black gum, Ogeechee lime, ash, red maple, water oak, and sweet bay, rising gradually to a low upland plateau.

GAUGE: Using USGS Web site data for the gauge at Reidsville, the minimum is 190 cfs, and the maximum up to high flood stage. The Metter Game and Fish office, at (912) 685-2145, can provide more information.

SHUTTLE: From I-16, exit #90 for US1 between Macon and Savannah, and head south. Stay on GA Hwy 86 as US1 forks to the right. Turn left onto Griffin Ferry Road and proceed to the first put-in. To drive to other access points, return to GA Hwy 86 and turn left, then turn left at either GA Hwy 152 or GA Hwy 292. View map.

This canoeing guide was adapted from A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia, by Suzanne Welander, Bob Sehlinger and Don Otey. Organized efficiently by watersheds, the book contains paddling guides to over 80 Georgia streams and rivers, plus the Okefenokee Swamp and the Georgia Coast, as well as a wealth of interesting and useful information about Georgia physiography and paddling in general. Order this and canoeing and kayaking guides from other states from Menasha Ridge Press.