Toccoa/Ocoee River
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The Toccoa River and Ocoee River are actually a single river that flows northwestward through the southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. It is called the Toccoa in Georgia, until it reaches the twin cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. The remainder is called the Ocoee through Tennessee, known for its whitewater rafting, and host to kayaking events during the Centennial 1996 Summer Olympics held primarily in Atlanta, about 100 miles (160 km) to the south.
The Ocoee's flow is controlled by the Tennessee Valley Authority via three dams. Most often the riverbed is dry in the five-mile (eight km) stretch used for sporting, the water being diverted through flumes along the side of the mountains. The dams generate 67,000 kilowatts of electricity in total. Upstream (to the south), the TVA also operates Blue Ridge Dam, which creates Lake Blue Ridge (called Blue Ridge Reservoir only by the TVA).
In early 1990, a massive flood struck the river, despite the flood control measures, causing major damage to both towns.
The two towns at the state line are built as a single town, with streets running parallel and perpendicular to the river rather then the border, causing some buildings to be cut diagonally between the two states.
External links
- TVA Toccoa dam page (http://www.tva.gov/sites/blueridge.htm)
- TVA Ocoee dams page (http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/ocoee.htm)