One experienced rafting guide says the river was flowing too fast when two women were killed this weekend after their rafts overturned. The Ocoee has become one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the world, attracting over 250,000 visitors annually. Terms of Service. Jenkins said he's more concerned about figuring out what happened Saturday and Sunday than he is worried about the effect the deaths could have on his customer base. Every year, about 230,000 adventurers flock to the Ocoee River, which is the most-visited whitewater river in the United States, according to a study by the University of Tennessee released in May. A day later, Luna fell out of her raft with several other people when the raft was caught in the same rapid. The 9.25 mile section of the Cheoah River, from Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch, is … Brooks said he did not know whether the flume at Ocoee 2 was operating Saturday morning, carrying some water to generate power instead of channeling it into the river. All Rights Reserved. Whitewater Wars Tells how the Ocoee and Gauley Were Saved 10/15/2020 - by Charlie Walbridge. 1224 Highway 64, Ocoee, TN 37361-3408 +1 423-338-4400 Website Menu. Claimed. "Commercial traffic did not stop," she said. The Ocoee is well-known for its whitewater, but the lower Ocoee is the perfect venue for lazy afternoon flatwater paddling or tubing trips. At the time of the accident Saturday, the water was flowing between 2,300 and 2,600 cubic feet per second, according to TVA. She was unable to make it to shore and was picked up by two kayakers around 11:45 a.m. Rescuers performed CPR on both women, and both were taken by ambulance to Copper Basin Medical Center, about nine miles away. The river is dam controlled at 3 levels creating 3 sections – the upper, … By Shelly Bradbury, Chattanooga Times Free Press. It did spike on them, which was unusual. Steve Lofty, chief of West Polk Fire and Rescue, said Saturday there is no way rafters would be on the river if it was running too high or fast. Join AW and support river stewardship nationwide. On Sunday the flow was slightly less, at 2,200 to 2,500 cubic feet per second. TVA estimates the CFS during Sunday's fatality was less than 1,700. And I know what 3,000 CFS looks like," said Jamie Silver, acting river manager at Adventures Unlimited. The Middle … "That number you see on there is the point past that where the flume comes back in, and that's the total flow, including the river and the flume," said Scott Brooks, a spokesperson for TVA. Mar 15, 2017 - American Whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered … "If that river was too high, the state park would've shut it down in a heartbeat," he said. "But now, I'll just avoid it. The latest happened Sunday morning around 11:40, the first incident was Saturday only 20 minutes earlier. Earlier today American Whitewater filed comments on the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) proposal to largely maintain the existing whitewater release schedule on both the upper and middle Ocoee River … BENTON, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say two women have died while rafting on the Ocoee River in separate incidents in two days. Day Time (Eastern) Average Hourly Discharge* 8/25/2013 2 pm 1,912 8/25/2013 3 pm 1,944 8/25/2013 4 pm 2,542 8/25/2013 5 pm 2,237 8/25/2013 6 pm 1,904 8/25/2013 7 pm 1,837 8/25/2013 8 pm 1,756 TEXT ATTACHMENTS, TVA Investigating Water Flow After Ocoee River Deaths. Because it's the same rapid -- "Grumpy's" -- where two women died in separate incidents Saturday and Sunday after falling out of their professionally guided rafts. "They can make that call; if they don't want to go, they don't have to go," he said, adding that the weekend's water was high but not unusual. "In my opinion, it was incompetence and negligence on TVA's part in the release of the water, and it's been going on all summer long and you're lucky this the first weekend this has happened," said Silver. "That's more important than the loss of business. Tennessee’s most experienced outfitter, Ocoee Outdoors will guide you through almost continuous class III – IV whitewater … And while some adventurers, like Hookway, opted to skip "Grumpy's," several companies were again running rafts through that rapid. Share. McGruder and Luna bump that up to eight. Ocoee Outdoors has quite the fleet of buses to get you to and from the river. Learn more about the non-profit organization American Whitewater and how to become a member here. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported after the first incident that the Tennessee Valley Authority was reviewing the river's flow and height at the time of the incident. We flew into Nashville, rented a car and drove to Memphis for meetings, drove back to Nashville the following night, and then headed south to Ocoee … stakeholders by hosting the Ocoee Symposium at the Olympic Whitewater Center on Friday, May 18th, Ocoee whitewater with NOC is Tennessee rafting at its best. Atlanta woman dies in Ocoee rafting accident 51 year-old Marnita McGruder, from Rex, GA Timesfreepress.com by Alex Green An Atlanta woman died Saturday on the Ocoee River while rafting with a group, and TVA is looking at the river's flow and height at the time. Welcome to Ocoee Rafting! ... 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s American Whitewater Boat Design canoe … "It's not that they weren't experienced on high water. The CFS rose by nearly 1,000 cubic feet per second during the time of Saturday's fatal run. 1999 Ocoee Rodeo at Smiley's The Upper Ocoee riverbed had remained dry … Terms of Service. The Middle Ocoee is a virtually endless whitewater adventure from the moment you get in at Rogers Branch until the take-out point at Caney Creek. Yesterday, when the first death occurred yesterday, the water level, I was an eyewitness to that death, the water level was over 3,000. News of the Sunday accident had already spread to Hell Hole when we pulled up at around 2pm to set shuttle. The trip was a bit of a whirlwind. The Ocoee is Southeast Tennessee’s iconic whitewater river and provides recreational opportunities for paddlers of all skill levels. Known for its big waves, warm water and continuous action. Ocoee Whitewater Games. Two women were thrown overboard, but one was pulled back into the raft. Every year, about 230,000 adventurers flock to the Ocoee River, which is the most-visited whitewater river in the United States, according to a study by the University of Tennessee released in May. 172 reviews #4 of 8 Restaurants in Ocoee $ American. McGruder grabbed a rescue rope but lost consciousness before she could be pulled to safety. I don't want to be the third one.". ", Keith Jenkins, owner of Quest Expeditions, agreed that the river has been high all summer. this whole river deserves respect," said Cole Henderson, an experienced kayaker. The rafting industry on the Ocoee employs 622 people and generates $43.83 million in economic activity each year, according to the UT study. The release says the woman was from Atlanta, but it didn't identify her. Officials didn't release her name, but said she was from Smyrna, Tenn. Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at sbradbury@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6525. ", And regardless of the official safe water level, the final decision on whether to raft is made by each trip leader, Gilliam said. Whitewater kayaking and rafting. "Both of the guys this weekend were very good raft guys," he said. You’ll not only enjoy the thrill and excitement of America's favorite and most popular whitewater adventure, but you'll also enjoy a 1½ - 2 hour trip through the beautiful and dramatic Ocoee Gorge in the Cherokee National Forest. Polk County sheriff's officials could not confirm whether there were multiple incidents on the river Saturday. The Ocoee Whitewater … "We probably had more high water this year than I can ever remember, and I've been around 30 years," he said. American Whitewater made the first, very successful effort to build a coalition of a wide array of The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is investigating the deaths of Marnita McGruder, 51, of Rex, Ga., and Katherine Tyler Luna, 36, of Smyrna, Tenn. Six people have died on the Middle Ocoee since 1993, according to American Whitewater, a national nonprofit organization focused on preserving rivers and whitewater. A little over a year ago American Whitewater … The Middle section is considered to be one of the best natural stretches of whitewater in the country, ranked one of America’s Top Ten Rivers for whitewater rafting.This family friendly, action packed … Before that, the last recorded death of a customer on a commercial raft was in 1998, said Kip Gilliam, president of the Ocoee River Outfitters Association. Meanwhile, authorities have not released the names of the two women that died. The river was full of rafters again Monday, a day after Luna died. © 1999-2021 American Whitewater Ocoee Whitewater Rodeo 2000. Commercial rafters have to get off the water at 3,000 cubic feet per second. The lower Ocoee spills out below Parksville lake, rolling quietly … Closes in 5 min: … The other was tossed a rescue rope bag and reportedly grabbed the rope but then lost consciousness. TVA controls how much water goes into the Ocoee River with three dams, Ocoee 1 Dam, Ocoee 2 Dam and Ocoee 3 Dam. Early reports indicated that the river was running higher than unusual, but the levels were within the range considered safe for commercial rafting, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. 3,000 cubic feet per second. "It's a freak accident, two times in 24 hours," he said. From 1980 to 1985 David Brown lead successful battles to secure recreational water releases on both the Ocoee and Gauley Rivers. On Saturday, McGruder and another women fell out of their raft around 11:30 a.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Our goal is to provide a safe trip.". Whitewater Wars Tells how the Ocoee and Gauley Were Saved. "We've been rafting on that same amount of water all summer. You are not permitted to complete this task. These great victories are the subject of his new book "Whitewater … More than 300,000 visit the Ocoee each year. She was brought ashore downstream and pronounced dead when emergency crews arrived around 11:30 a.m. McGruder was rafting with High Country Adventures, and Luna was on the river with Sunburst Adventures. It was the first time since 7 a.m. Thursday that discharge broke 3,000 cfs, according to TVA.org. "It's very seldom that we have accidents like this, and to have two in the same weekend is absolutely unbelievable.". Get the full Ocoee whitewater rafting experience with this epic all-day adventure. One woman was pulled back on board. Story ©2013, The Associated Press. High Country Adventures did not return a request for comment, and Sunburst Adventures declined to comment. "I can't quote years of experience, but I know one of them has been around since the 1980s. Hookway shook her head as she stood on the side of the river waiting for her kayaking buddy to make it through the stretch, which is right at the beginning of the run. Since 1976, Ocoee Rafting has welcomed many to miles of … This is not the first time it's been at that level. 2 rafting deaths in 2 days on Ocoee River Associated Press. Choose from 2 of our exciting Ocoee … With an average flow level between 1200 and 1800 cubic feet per second and a section between the wooden diversion dam to Ocoee … According to a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release, the Atlanta woman, whose identity was not released, was rafting with family and friends below the Ocoee 2 Dam when the party's boat came upon a set of rapids called "Grumpy's." The dam was operating two generators. Whitewater Grill. Gilliam didn't think high water flow affected the guides involved in the accident, who he said were very experienced. Set in the Cherokee National Forest, the Ocoee River flows through a beautiful mountain gorge, Your Ocoee Whitewater rafting trip will be like no other. From 1980 to 1985 David Brown lead successful battles to secure recreational water releases on both the Ocoee … "We're still in the investigation process, and it could take a few weeks," she said. "I know that we had some flows that were above normal for this time of year, and we're looking into that," he said. 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