Overview
The Upper Tellico, also known as the ‘Ledges’ section, is only two miles in length, but the significant whitewater makes it seem longer. A parallel road makes scouting and shuttling easy and this section can be run several times in one day. The Upper Tellico has great scenery, great water, and good drops. This is a classic southeastern whitewater–please don’t take this gem for granted!
GAUGE INFO:
Low 250 cfs
Good 500-800 cfs
High 1000+ cfs
USGS gauge gives levels in both gauge height and cfs.
The minimum suggested level is about 280 cfs. The Upper Tellico can be run much lower (down to 150 cfs) but it is not the same river. No push, lots of scraping, lots of rocks. 300 cfs is an enjoyable low level.
Rapid Descriptions:
Major Rapids
- Top Ledge (III)
- Dirty S (III)
- Middle Ledge (III)
- Cry Baby (III)
- Baby Falls (III+)
- Diaper Wiper (III+)
- Jared’s Knee (III+ to IV)
The put-in consists of bumpy class II water that brings you to a series of ledges after passing under the first bridge. With a low level, these ledges can mostly be boat scouted to find the best route. At higher flows it’s best that you already know your line. The Top Ledge is a six-foot drop that shouldn’t present any problems, although river right should be avoided because a pinning potential exists here. You can see the piton/pin rock in this picture. The rock is just under the ledge at the far left of the picture.
Next is Dirty S, named for the way you run this class III drop. Middle Ledge (III) is an eight foot plunge with an automatic boof if run towards river right. There is plenty of calm water between these drops, so they shouldn’t surprise you.
After these ledges, you will encounter more class II water and a sharp bend to the left in the river brings you to a short class II+ rapid. Immediately after this rapid be on the lookout for a horizon line. This is Baby Falls (III+ to IV), a 15-foot drop into a pool. Eddy on river right and scout your line. If you run far right, you will practically land into an eddy. If you run the middle, you better have some speed, and the left side offers a sweet boof into the pool below. If you portage, do it on river left. (This is true for all the rapids on the Upper section.) From the pool below Baby Falls you can see Diaper Wiper (class III, IV at higher levels), the next rapid. Run the Wiper far right for first-timers. When you are comfortable with this rapid, you can run it against the river left bank (pic shows looking up from bottom of rapid). The left route will push you into a pillow of water at the bottom, where you’ll make a 90 degree turn to the right and head back into the middle of the river. This rapid can be run several ways, but the far right line is easiest at first. Avoid the middle because of a large pinning rock midway through the rapid.
Shortly after the Wiper you will see Bald River Falls come in on river left. Pay attention, because the action is about to pick up. About a half mile below Bald River Falls you will enter the first rapid of Jared’s Knee(III-IV). There are three distinct rapids at normal flows with the actual Jared’s Knee rapid making up the fourth. At higher flows, these three rapids become one big rapid, so make sure you know where you are. At the bottom of Jared’s Knee there is an undercut rock on river left, use caution here (undercut is on Louie’s left in the picture). There have been several good pics of Jared’s Knee posted below, check them out to get a good picture of the entire rapid. After this rapid it is only a short way to the take-out bridge. This marks the end of the Upper section. More class III fun awaits on the lower run.
Hazards:
The Upper Tellico is pretty clean. With the exception of the undercut on river left at Jared’s Knee there are no major hazards of this type. Strainers aren’t common except after huge storms. Always scout drops if you can’t see clearly to the bottom of the rapid. Please see notes at the top of this run description about the potential for a terminal hole at Top Ledge at high flows!
Boats:
First-timers will probably be more comfortable in creek boats, but experienced boaters make this run in everything.
Put-in and Take-out:
Located in Tellico Plains, TN. Follow TN 68 until you get to Tellico Plains. After you get into Tellico Plains, pick up TN 165 which will take you to the river. The road will split, stay right (still on TN 165). There will be a parking lot on the right side called ‘Oosterneck.’ This is the lower run takeout. Passing this parking area, the road will split again. Again stay right. This road parallels the Tellico all the way. You will cross a bridge and see Bald River Falls on your right (80+ feet) with the Tellico on your left. Continue up the road until you cross another bridge. Shortly there will be a pull-off on your right. This is the put-in. The take-out is the bridge after Jared’s Knee. For a bit longer trip, boat the class III water below Jared’s and take out at Turkey Creek, part of the Lower Tellico run.
