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42-533: NOC operates whitewater rafting trips on six Southeastern rivers: the Chattahoochee, Chattooga , French Broad , Nantahala , Ocoee , and Pigeon . NOC offers trips down each of these rivers, with the goal of providing enjoyment and getting people outside. To further that enjoyment and protect these areas the NOC works with various organizations for conservation of these rivers and the surrounding land. They work closely with

84-428: A course for healthcare professionals that has wilderness components. All participants of their wilderness medicine classes can receive certification through SOLO Southeast, leaders in wilderness medicine training. From 2022, NOC started offering international trips with a wide variety of excursions to choose from at each location. Some of the locations include British Columbia, Argentina, Iceland, and Africa. They include

126-533: A drop-pool style river, rapids are followed by calm pools for swimming. The Chattooga headwaters are located in the Whiteside Mountain area on the Blue Ridge escarpment near Cashiers, NC. Flowing through Cashiers as a small stream, the upper stretches (Sections 00, 0, and 1) are excellent trout waters and, depending on water level, are either not boatable or restricted. Section 1, beginning at Burrell's Ford,

168-478: A household in the county was $ 36,666, and the median income for a family was $ 43,047. Males had a median income of $ 31,032 versus $ 22,156 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,965. About 7.60% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over. In 2022, the GDP was $ 4.5 billion (about $ 56,008 per capita), and

210-605: A number of restrictions based on season, section of river, property ownership, time of day, and water level. The decision has proved controversial due to the excessive number of deaths that have occurred on the river in this area. Boating remains illegal above Greens Creek and below Licklog Creek. This section is difficult, commonly contains flood debris, flows infrequently, and will likely see limited whitewater use. 35°04′06″N 83°06′56″W  /  35.0681968°N 83.115585°W  / 35.0681968; -83.115585 Oconee County, South Carolina Oconee County

252-461: A top priority. The Stekoa Creek Basin is approximately 45 square miles (120 km ) in size. In the late spring, the river is lined with blooming pink and white mountain laurel . Early spring is also a great time to go rafting , kayaking , or canoeing because of the higher flows and cooler temperatures. The Chattooga is a free-flowing river (no upstream dam to control the flow) which quickly responds to rainfall or drought conditions. As

294-737: A total of about 57 miles (92 km). On the commercially rafted sections (III and IV) there is a 1/4 mile protected corridor of National Forest on both sides of the river, allowing no roads to the river or development of any kind. There are a few areas on the river where access has been made more accessible on Section III, but much of Section IV is fairly remote. The Chattooga also bisects the Ellicott Rock Wilderness which straddles three states (Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina) and three National Forests (the Chattahoochee , Nantahala and Sumter National Forests). The Georgia portion of

336-508: A training site for whitewater athletes in the US. Paddlers have come from all over to experience the Nantahala river and the NOC alike. 35°19′52″N 83°35′30″W  /  35.3312°N 83.5918°W  / 35.3312; -83.5918 Chattooga River The Chattooga River (also spelled Chatooga , Chatuga , and Chautaga , variant name Guinekelokee River ) is the main tributary of

378-524: A variety of trips to accommodate for different ages and experience levels. Many of the international trips venture to highly sought after places around the world. NOC international expeditions ventures to the ends of the earth from Mount Kilimanjaro to Machu Picchu to the Northern Lights in Iceland. Former NOC president John Burton (who, until recently, was an owner/operator of nearby Nantahala Village Resort)

420-491: Is Bull Sluice . Section 4 includes Class II-V rapids, including the famous Five Falls (five class III-V rapids in roughly a 1/4 mile stretch). The minimum age requirement to raft Section 3 is eight, and Section 4 is twelve. A number of signature rapids on this river were featured in the motion picture Deliverance . The Forest Plan , issued in 1976 and revised in January 2004, restricted motorized craft, closed many roads to

462-638: Is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) long. The West Fork Chattooga River (variant name Gumekoloke Creek ) runs 6.0 miles (9.7 km) in from Rabun County, Georgia, and is also a variant name for that county's Holcomb Creek, one of its own tributaries. One of the largest tributaries in the Chattooga basin that flows mainly through private lands is Stekoa Creek , which flows primarily southeast for approximately 18 miles (29 km) from its headwaters in Mountain City, Georgia , through Clayton, Georgia , to its mouth at

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504-474: Is land and 47.01 square miles (121.8 km ) (6.98%) is water. Three large man-made lakes provide residents with sport fishing , water skiing , and sailing as well as hydroelectric power. The largest lake is Lake Hartwell , built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963. Lake Keowee is the second-largest lake and the Oconee Nuclear Station operates by the lake. Lake Jocassee

546-618: Is mostly granite . Geologists believe that the Chattooga may have made one direction change during its life. Originally, it probably flowed southwesterly into the Chattahoochee River and on to the Gulf of Mexico. At some point, the Savannah River eroded its northern headland until it captured the Chattooga and diverted its waters to the Atlantic. The rocks in the riverbed probably fell from

588-399: Is the third-largest and is a source of hydroelectric energy , but is also popular for its scenery and numerous waterfalls . Bad Creek Reservoir, located in the mountains above Jocassee, is also used for generating electricity during peak hours. The water level can fall by tens of feet per hour and, during off-peak times, water is pumped back into the lake for the next peak period. Because of

630-502: Is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of South Carolina . As of the 2020 census , the population was 78,607. Its county seat is Walhalla and its largest community is Seneca . Oconee County is included in the Seneca , SC Micropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the Greenville - Spartanburg - Anderson , SC Combined Statistical Area . South Carolina Highway 11 ,

672-527: Is very hazardous and restricted to certain months and water levels. The West Fork, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Section 1, is ideal for tubing and class II float trips. It begins at the Overflow Road Bridge and terminates at the Section 2 put-in. Section 2, starting at Highway 28, is a class II float. Section 3 has Class II-IV rapids which rafters and kayakers frequent. The final rapid in Section 3

714-743: The Tugaloo River . The headwaters of the Chattooga River are located southwest of Cashiers, North Carolina , and it stretches 57 miles (92 km) to its confluence with the Tallulah River within Lake Tugalo , which was created by the Tugalo Dam . The Chattooga begins in southern Jackson County, North Carolina , and flows southwestward between northwestern Oconee County, South Carolina , and eastern Rabun County, Georgia . The "Chattooga" spelling

756-416: The real GDP was $ 3.7 billion (about $ 45,856 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars . As of April 2024 , some of the largest employers in the county include Apex Tool Group , BorgWarner , CSL Plasma , Duke Energy , Ingles , Itron , Kelly Services , Prisma Health , Sandvik , Schneider Electric , and Walmart . The Oconee region is mentioned in the song "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)" by

798-411: The 30,676 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 43.4 years. The median income for a household in

840-548: The Chattahoochee River and ziplining at their home site in Bryson city. NOC offers a variety of outdoor education courses to the public. Apart from their different paddling classes that are offered they also offer wilderness medicine classes and swift water rescue classes. The wilderness medicine courses that are offered are wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder and wilderness EMT as well as wilderness survival course and

882-625: The Chattooga River. Stekoa Creek has been identified as the single greatest threat to the Chattooga's water quality. This is due primarily to raw sewage leaking from the City of Clayton's old sewage collection system, overflowing storm drains, runoff laden with sediment, poor agricultural practices, failing septic systems, and illegal dumping. Non-profit organizations, such as the Chattooga Conservancy , have made improving water quality in Stekoa Creek

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924-623: The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, begins in southern Oconee County at Interstate Highway 85 at the Georgia state line. Oconee County was named after a historic Cherokee town and the word "Ae-quo-nee" , meaning "land beside the water." Oconee ( Cherokee : ᎤᏊᏄ , romanized:  Uquunu ) town developed on the Cherokee trading path near present-day Oconee Station State Historic Site along Oconee Creek. The town

966-458: The Forest service on several of these rivers to help with conservation efforts, often being the first reporters of something happening in or around the river. NOC also teaches people to paddle in its canoe and kayak paddling school. They also offer mountain bike rentals, group programs, outdoor retail, restaurants, ropes courses, kayak touring, fly fishing and hiking. NOC lately offers tubing trips down

1008-674: The Nantahala Racing Club at NOC on the Nantahala River. Bryson City native, Adam Clawson , a two-time U.S. Olympian and a 1991 World Championship silver medalist is widely recognized as one of the greatest C-1 slalom paddlers to ever race for the United States. Jacobi and Strausbaugh, paddling C-2, are the only Americans ever to have won an Olympic gold medal for the US in whitewater, which they did in Barcelona in 1992 . NOC remains

1050-582: The United States and the Cherokee extended the South Carolina boundary to its current location. Prior to 1816, the Chattooga flowed through the ancient homeland of the Cherokee Indian Nation . A Cherokee town known as Chattooga was located along the upper river. The people were forced to cede this territory to the United States. The Blue Ridge Mountains , where the Chattooga starts, are considered to be ancient, even by geological standards. The rock

1092-441: The county was $ 42,266 and the median income for a family was $ 52,332. Males had a median income of $ 40,943 versus $ 29,841 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 24,055. About 11.8% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over. At the 2000 census , there were 66,215 people, 27,283 households, and 19,589 families living in

1134-416: The county. The population density was 106 people per square mile (41 people/km ). There were 32,383 housing units at an average density of 52 units per square mile (20 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 89.14% White , 8.38% Black or African American , 0.22% Native American , 0.35% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.06% from other races , and 0.82% from two or more races. 2.36% of

1176-426: The dramatic changes in water level due to these uses, boating and swimming are prohibited in this reservoir. Oconee County is in the Savannah River basin. As of the 2020 census , there were 78,607 people, 31,530 households, and 21,214 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 74,273 people, 30,676 households, and 21,118 families living in the county. The population density

1218-428: The historic Cherokee built communal town houses around a central ceremonial pole and council house. The council house was a meeting place for the larger community and council. Through the centuries of their long occupancy, the Cherokee would replace the council house, and maintain and add to nearby mounds, building in distinctly colored layers of earth that are visible to archeologists. Due to its geographic position,

1260-496: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.5% were of American , 13.1% Irish , 11.9% German and 10.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000 . There were 27,283 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who

1302-399: The ridge above, but such rocks do not necessarily remain where they fall. In times of great downpours, high water, and fast currents, rocks can become dislodged and move downstream, taking other rocks and debris with them. During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the wind force and waters knocked big boulders off the banks of the river. The hurricane dropped so much water in the Chattooga watershed that

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1344-815: The river is in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Known as the "Crown Jewel" of the southeast, the Chattooga was the first river east of the Mississippi to be granted the Wild & Scenic designation, and is still the only one that is commercially rafted. The river is split into three forks. The Chattooga River is the main fork, running along the state line. The East Fork Chattooga River (sometimes East Prong Chattooga River ) runs in from Jackson County, North Carolina and then Oconee County, South Carolina, and

1386-626: The river was recorded at its highest flow rate, around 26,000 cu ft/s (740 m /s) to 28,000 cu ft/s (790 m /s), rivaling the typical flow of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon . Since May 10, 1974, the Chattooga River has been protected along a 15,432-acre (6,245 ha) corridor as a national Wild and Scenic River . 39.8 miles (64.1 km) of the river have been designated “wild”, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) “scenic”, and 14.6 miles (23.5 km) “recreational” for

1428-483: The river, and prohibited floating on the upper 21 miles (34 km) of river. This plan was challenged by several boating advocacy groups, causing the United States Forest Service to withdraw the plan of 2004 and ordering a Visitor Use Capacity Analysis. The USFS issued its final decision in January 2012. The decision expanded boating onto some sections of the upper Chattooga, including Section 1, with

1470-667: The town was at the intersection of the trading path and the Cherokee treaty boundary of 1777 . In 1792, the newly formed South Carolina State Militia built a frontier outpost near the town site, and named it Oconee Station. European-American settlement in this far western area of the colony did not begin until the late eighteenth century. Most did not take place until decades after the American Revolutionary War . South Carolina jurisdictions were successively called parishes, counties, judicial districts and counties again. Oconee County

1512-441: Was 118.6 inhabitants per square mile (45.8 inhabitants/km ). There were 38,763 housing units at an average density of 61.9 units per square mile (23.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% white, 7.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, Of

1554-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85. In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males. The median income for

1596-464: Was a member of the original 1972 Olympic slalom team. His teammate Angus Morrison, currently a head guide for Nantahala River Guided Trips, was also on the Olympic team that year, as well as in 1976 and 1980. More recently, Olympians Lecky and Fritz Haller , Horace Holden Jr. , Wayne Dickert (currently head of NOC Instruction), Joe Jacobi , Scott Strausbaugh and Scott Shipley have all trained with

1638-692: Was approved by the US Board on Geographic Names in 1897. The Chattooga and the Tallulah rivers combine to make the Tugaloo River , which is considered to start at the outlet of Lake Tugalo. Downriver from the Tugaloo's confluence with the Seneca River , it is known as the Savannah River below Lake Hartwell . Downstream from that point, the water flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Savannah, Georgia . The Chattooga

1680-590: Was located along the Cherokee trading path of the early 18th century between the English colonial Atlantic port of Charleston and the Mississippi River to the west. Oconee Town did not develop around an ancient platform mound like those built by ancestral peoples during the period of the Southern Appalachian Mississippian culture , approximately 1000CE to 1500CE. In their public architecture,

1722-639: Was not created until 1868, after the American Civil War and during the Reconstruction era . It was taken from part of the Pickens District and named after Oconee Town. Current residents refer to Oconee County as the "Golden Corner" due to its status as South Carolina's north-western most county. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 673.57 square miles (1,744.5 km ), of which 626.56 square miles (1,622.8 km )

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1764-464: Was the model for the fictional 'Cahulawassee River' in James Dickey 's novel, Deliverance (1970). Scenes for the 1972 film of the same name were shot along the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River serves as part of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina near latitude 35°N . The Chattooga was not the original boundary line between South Carolina and Georgia. A treaty of 1816 between

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