Former Ocoee Whitewater Center and Remaining Activities

1996 Olympics Whitewater Competition Channel

The location of Ocoee Whitewater Center is just a few miles west of Ocoee Adventure Center. This whitewater center built to host the whitewater slalom events of the 1996 Olympic games. During construction of the whitewater park one quarter mile of river bed was modified. The designers and engineers narrowed the Upper Ocoee’s riverbed from 200 feet to 70 feet in width. As a result, the constricted channel causes the water in the river to increase in speed and power. However the Ocoee Whitewater Center building recently burned in 2022.

Engineering Olympic Whitewater

Rocks precisely placed and cemented in place make this a world class slalom course. The channel was narrowed by two thirds to increase intensity of the rapids and flow. TVA currently adds a few hundred cfs to the Olympic level to improve rafting on this section of river. CFS stands for cubic feet per second. These changes to the river created the steepest and highest volume Olympic whitewater venue ever used. To this day it also retains the honor of being the only in-river whitewater course used for the Olympic games.

Blue Hole

The whitewater center converted into a visitor center following the Olympic and until a fire destroyed in in early 2022. During its prime operating months ran April to October. While the former site of the whitewater center still offers many attractions including snorkeling and swimming on the weekdays. Watch our video to see some of the “Swiss Cheese” one of our guides swims through. The whitewater center is also is home to miles of historic hiking and biking trails. Along the way you will find picnic areas and pavilions. On weekends Its one of the best places in the area to come relax and watch the endless rafts and kayaks brave the Olympic whitewater course.

Questions?

If you ever are interested in coming for a visit. Get with Ocoee Adventure Center for all your Rafting needs.