Caney Fork River - Center Hill Dam to Happy Hollow

Estimated Length:  5.5  Miles                                 

Date: May 28,  2012

Weather: Sunny and in the 90’s

Time on River:  1 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 1 & 1/4 hours

Close By: Gordonsville

Put-In: Center Hill Dam

Take-Out: Happy Hollow

Highlights:

Trying to find a river with enough water to canoe this weekend was definitely a challenge. We scouted the upper Duck on Sunday and quickly realized that we would have been out of the canoe more than in it, having to drag our canoe over all the low spots. So off to the Caney Fork river we went. Even without  the TVA running the generators, paddlers are guaranteed water. The Caney has a mandated 250cfs minimum river flow that ensures year-around floatable water.

The Caney was a busy place this weekend, with kayakers, canoers and fisherman. 

Lots of people on the River

 

 The water on the river is clear and cold. The year round water temperature is 52 degrees and the breezes off the river are really refreshing. With so many people on the river wildlife was not that abundant but we did mange to see a turkey and lots and lots of fish. You can see to the bottom in about 4-5 feet of water giving great views off all the trout swimming about. 

Turkey

Do be careful paddling the river when the TVA is generating. Lex and I have done this before and we canoed 16 miles in about 5 hours. The river is still a class I but it is easy to get sucked into a bridge pylon and/or strainers. The TVA publishes the schedule 24 hours in advance and all the river outfitters will not rent equipment when the dam is releasing.

Even with all the crowds it was a good day on the river!!!