Ocoee River Unleashed - Video

A few tidbits about the Ocoee River. It flows downstream from Copperhill, TN which was one of the largest strip mining operations in the history of the United States and, until recent recovery effort’s, its barren land was visible from space. Its name will give you an idea of what they were largely mining. The river and lakes (Ocoee Lake and Parksville Lake) below the Ocoee Whitewater Center and its adjoining rapids were essentially dead for years from runoff of the mining area but recent recovery efforts have made great strides in reversing that stigma. It makes for a very nice, and clean, area for recreation. If you like to canoe slower moving water you can go to the next dam below Lake Parksville, (Ocoee Dam No. 1) drop in, and canoe down to the Hiwassee river and pick your place to depart. As I recall it is about 12 miles down the Ocoee to the Hiwassee and we went another 12 miles down the Hiwassee before we exited. A nice two day trip. Be aware though (especially if you are in an aluminum canoe) the temperature of the water will dip about 25 degrees fahrenheit when you hit the Hiwassee River and if you have wet feet you will wish you hadn’t. A great place to visit though and one of the hidden gems of TN/NC.