Is the Ocoee River Running

How to determine Ocoee River levels from gauges and generation info

If you are a commercial rafter just check our calendar for scheduled release days. Private boaters trying to get in a winter day or unscheduled release can use the process outlined below. Additionally if you care curious what the current water level is in the Ocoee River bed you can do the same. There are two river sections to consider the upper and middle. Measurements will be in CFS or cubic feet per second

How to Find the Middle Ocoee Water Level

The Middle Ocoee is controlled by the TVA Ocoee Dam #2. Thus you will use the TVA’s Ocoee #2 page to obtain the needed information. The two items of information you need are the number of “Generators” operating and the current or predicted “Average Hourly Discharge.” You take the “Average Hourly Discharge” and then deduct 600 cfs for each generator. Anything above 1,200 cfs is optimal but over 3,000 cfs is rowdy! A typical summer recreational release is between 1,200 cfs to 1,600 cfs.

Formula:

Level in River = Average Hourly Discharge – (Generators x 600 cfs)

How to Find the Upper Ocoee Water Level

The Upper Ocoee is controlled by the TVA Ocoee Dam #3. This you will use the TVA’s Ocoee #3 page to obtain the needed data. If the generator is not running then the “Average Hourly Discharge” is the current level in cfs. The generator can discharge 1,200 cfs. This if the “Average Hourly Discharge” is 2,400 cfs or more and a generator is running deduct 1,200 cfs. Typical level for recreation releases is 1,600 cfs