Place

Lower Pool Park Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Concrete ramp in foreground leading to the river with a wooded shoreline in the distance.
Put in your boat at the beginning of the park.

NPS/Lyn Watts

Quick Facts
Location:
3600 Buford Dam Rd. Cumming, GA 30041
Significance:
Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch
MANAGED BY:
US Army Corps of Engineers

Boat Ramp, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot

The Lower Pool Park Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch provides access to the river for trailered boats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts. This launch is located below Buford Dam, which creates Lake Sidney Lanier, and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Due to the cold water released from the lake tubers are not allowed to put-in at this launch.

Water Quality

Be sure to check the Current Estimated E. coli count before starting your trip. If the count at Medlock Bridge is greater than 235 you have an increased risk of getting sick. Contact with the river is NOT recommended.

Water Release Schedule

Water conditions on the Chattahoochee River are influenced on a daily basis by water releases from Buford Dam. The water release schedule can be obtained by calling (770) 945-1466, or toll free 1-855-DAM-FLOW (1-855-326-3569), or visit their Hydropower Generating Schedule website. Besides showing the time for scheduled releases it also shows how many turbines will be operating and the current flow in cubic feet per second (cfs). It takes less than 15 minutes for water released from Buford Dam to begin rising at Lower Pool Park.

River Flow Rates

Water conditions on the Chattahoochee River are also influenced by the weather upstream of Settles Bridge. Regardless of whether the water is coming from a dam release or inclement weather upstream check the discharge/flow rate at the gaging station below Buford Dam. 

  • If Canoeing, Kayaking, or Stand Up Paddleboarding and the flow rate is over 4,000 cfs, cancel your trip. 
  • If Rafting and the flow rate is over 5,000 cfs, cancel your trip.
  • Float tubes are prohibited on this stretch of the river due to cold water temperatures.

Try These Floating Options

  • Lower Pool Park to Settles Bridge: 4.5 miles
  • Lower Pool Park to McGinnis Bridge: 8.3 miles
  • Lower Pool Park to Roger Bridge (Temporarily Closed): 11.2 miles
  • Lower Pool Park to Abbotts Bridge: 12.8 miles

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Tags

Last updated: May 5, 2021