Chattanooga Trip Overview
Locking through the dam is a great break from the ordinary. You wait as the massive gates to the lock open, and the boats heading upstream slowly motor out of the lock. We then kayak into the lock and secure our spots as the gates close behind us. We take note of the high water mark that is slightly below the decks of the kayaks and watch them grow as the water slowly drains into the river below. Once we lower 45 to 60 feet and reach river level the even larger rounded doors open in front of us and release us into the river to continue on the rest of the tour.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 hours
Starts: Chattanooga, United States
Trip Category: Water Sports >> Kayaking & Canoeing
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What to Expect When Visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Locking through the dam is a great break from the ordinary. You wait as the massive gates to the lock open, and the boats heading upstream slowly motor out of the lock. We then kayak into the lock and secure our spots as the gates close behind us. We take note of the high water mark that is slightly below the decks of the kayaks and watch them grow as the water slowly drains into the river below. Once we lower 45 to 60 feet and reach river level the even larger rounded doors open in front of us and release us into the river to continue on the rest of the tour.
Itinerary
Try the unique guided experience of locking through Chickamauga Dam from the seat of a kayak. You will paddle into the 120 ft tall lock and the massive gates will close behind you. Your guide will connect the boats to a moving anchor at the side of the lock to secure all of the passengers on the trip. The lockmaster slowly empties the water in the lock from Chickamauga lake into the Tennessee River below the dam. As the water empties the lock, you slowly descend into the depth of the lock to match the river level below the dam. The massive doors in front of you open and your guide will lead you into the river where the paddling tour continues. This is a truly unique Chattanooga kayaking experience.
Stop At:
• Chickamauga Dam Tennessee River Park, 4631 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406-1056
• Walnut Street Bridge, Walnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403
