River questions

[Guest]

Cathooker and I are going to the river below Chickamauga Dam in the morning for some skipjack and possibly some catfish. I have never been on the river much above Raccoon Mtn. so I need some advice from you river dogs. We will be launching at the River Park. First question is how is the best way to the ramp coming from 153Second, where are the rockpiles or any other hazards in the river that we need to know about and last but not least when we are done skip fishing where might we look for a big cat. I know this is a lot to ask but I know someone or two on here can help and you should know us by now in that we will return the favor.
Thanks

 

[Liveliner]

There are only two rock hazards that i know of below Chickamauga Dam.  One is on the lock side of the river and is most always extending above the waterline even at full generation.  The only time it gets covered up is when flood gates are opened.</p>

The second area is on the generator side down at the  railroad bridge supports.  As much as I go there, I am not exactly sure exactly where this submerged hazard is located.  I just avoid going through any of the first three openings under the railroad bridge on that side of the river.</p>

I would like to know the exact spot myself so if someone can provide that info, I would be most gracious for it.</p>

 

[drumking]

Take Amnicola hwy south off 153, Cheez and go past Chattanooga State. You can either turn in at the Riverpark entrance just before Dupont Hwy and wind around there until you come to the ramp on the right or you can go on down Amnicola a short distance and take the 2nd Riverpark entrance and the ramp will then be on your left when you come into the park. Piece of cake to find. Good ramp. emoGeezer

 

[digitalcb]

Liveliner - 8/29/2007 9:11 PM



There are only two rock hazards that i know of below Chickamauga Dam. One is on the lock side of the river and is most always extending above the waterline even at full generation. The only time it gets covered up is when flood gates are opened.</p>

The second area is on the generator side down at the railroad bridge supports. As much as I go there, I am not exactly sure exactly where this submerged hazard is located. I just avoid going through any of the first three openings under the railroad bridge on that side of the river.</p>

I would like to know the exact spot myself so if someone can provide that info, I would be most gracious for it.</p>

Likewise--I know where it is but I can't exactly tell you. Look where he said during slack water, sometimes you can see Herons standing where they shouldn't be!

 

[Fat Albert]

<font color="#ff0033">there are several hazards under the RR bridge...to be safe run up and down from the dam between the two large round supports of the RR bridge...a couple of places there is very shallow and will take the lower unit off...running up river between the 2nd and 3rd pillers from the big round one....... DON'T GO THAT WAY.....FA</font>

 

[polo-dog]

There is also a hazzard between the lock and the wing wall. I bent a prop there in the early 90's. It's somewhere in front of the floodgates if you go from the lock straight over to the wing wall. If you just idle you can get there safely or if you run down stream to near the RR bridge and go above or below the rock pile that is on the surface you will be okay. I haven't been down below the RR bridge pilings other than the ones that are on the lock side and the ones over on the other side of the river but I have been told by many that you will hit a rock pile if you run between the middle bridge pilings. I wouldn't try it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys for responding. I think we'll go to Nickajack Dam. I'll go sometime with someone that knows their way around down there and learn the water before I chance it.
To the other 55 that read this request of which I'm sure many could have given specifics, I apologize for your having to take time from your life to read this.

 

[hl&s]

Turn into Riverpark off Amnicola by the Recruiting Center sign across from the Coke Plant. Follow signs to ramp.

 

[Liveliner]

Thanks for the pics hl&s.  The second pic shows exactly where the rocks are under the RR bridge.  Right where FA said.  Are there any more hazards near the RR bridge to the right of the rocks where shown in that pic?</p>

Polo, is the hazard that you mentioned up near the dam walls in that corner where the pics show the big rock pile?</p>

 

[MadBomber]

I will answer for Polo.  YES!!!  there is a rock pile just off the lock wing wall.  It is usually not a problem to idle or drift over it.  The heron perch is clearly shown in the first pic as a small round rockpile.  It is actually the upstream end of the strip of rocks between the first pair of CONCRETE pilings next to the <u>lift section</u> of the RR bridge. The rock pile runs from the heron perch to 100 yards or so below the bridge, Yes it is a DRAWBRIDGE!  As far as I know, there are no other rock hazards but it is fairly shallow on the downstream side of the bridge.</p>

Best advice is to only pass under the RR bridge in the channel leading to the locks.</p>

 

[flip1up]

cheez - 8/30/2007 4:24 AM Thanks guys for responding. I think we'll go to Nickajack Dam. I'll go sometime with someone that knows their way around down there and learn the water before I chance it. To the other 55 that read this request of which I'm sure many could have given specifics, I apologize for your having to take time from your life to read this.

</p>

 Hey Cheeze, you asked at 8:55 pm on the 29th, at 4:24 am on the 30th you wonder why you didnt get more responses. The reason may have been that all the obvious rock hazards were mentioned. </p>

 

[Guest]

flip1up - 8/30/2007 9:14 AM

cheez - 8/30/2007 4:24 AM Thanks guys for responding. I think we'll go to Nickajack Dam. I'll go sometime with someone that knows their way around down there and learn the water before I chance it. To the other 55 that read this request of which I'm sure many could have given specifics, I apologize for your having to take time from your life to read this.

</p>

 Hey Cheeze, you asked at 8:55 pm on the 29th, at 4:24 am on the 30th you wonder why you didnt get more responses. The reason may have been that all the obvious rock hazards were mentioned. </p>

I guess I missed that part Karl.

 

[MadBomber]

Doc1 - 8/30/2007 10:11 AM Cheeze, if you ever go below Nickajack, the tailwater is rock free, except the rip rap on the bank.

</p>

 That's what I like most about Nickajack dam.  I tore up my lower unit below Watts Bar.</p>

 

[hoggerhead]

those pictures look pretty old, this is probly a stupid question but what year was the dam built?

 

[MrWiskers]

hoggerhead - 8/30/2007 6:43 PM

those pictures look pretty old, this is probly a stupid question but what year was the dam built?

Completed in 1940.

 

[SpurHunter]

Cheez, go with a reular first! IT is a dangerous place to try with-out knowledge!

 

[hl&s]

hoggerhead - 8/30/2007 5:43 PM

those pictures look pretty old, this is probly a stupid question but what year was the dam built?

The 1st pic is dated 02/26/1938.

 

[Guest]

SpurHunter - 8/30/2007 10:05 PM

Cheez, go with a reular first! IT is a dangerous place to try with-out knowledge!

Thanks Erik I believe I will. If the fishing was just super duper and everyone was just slaying them there I might chance it and go slow but I'm not going to chance it on so so fishing.