The first whitewater release of the season at Tallulah Gorge also brought its first injury. A kayaker was hurt at Sliding Rock Falls Saturday. Rescuers had to hike to the base of the gorge to retrieve them.
First responders with Habersham County Emergency Services, the Tallulah Falls Fire Department, and Rabun County Rescue responded to the call shortly after noon on March 25. They reached the injured kayaker within an hour and helped them out of the gorge.
Officials say the patient was treated at the scene and refused to be transported to the hospital.
Whitewater releases
Georgia Power controls the flow of water in Tallulah Gorge through its hydroelectric dam. The company increases the water flow each spring and fall to allow boating through the canyon.
This weekend’s whitewater release, March 25 and 26, is a make-up weekend from November. Other spring release dates are April 1-2 and April 8-9.
