Ocoee River, TN

Time for a break from yard work at Carol's. We took the dogs for a walk along the Ocoee River.

This is the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics Whitewater Slalom course.

It has been developed as a recreational area with paved trails along the river and other trails into the hills beyond.

Water flow is controlled by a series of hydro electric dams. 

Warning sirens alert you when there's going to be a water release...in time to get to higher ground.

Two foot bridges span the river to trails on the other side.

The Olympic Center houses displays and a gift shop.

The fire tower, a relic of the past, was built in 1935, and originally stood 80 feet high atop Bean Mtn in the Cherokee National Forest, about 10 miles away.

Crossing the suspension bridge.

On the other side is a trail that was once part of the Old Copper Road.

Some of you may remember my post about Ducktown and the Copper Mines a few years ago. Here's a link if you want to know more: http://wheresliz-liz.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

About the Old Copper Road...

Thistle is interested, but perhaps we'll wait until the water recedes from the trail.

Colors of the river rocks remind us of the high content of copper and other minerals here.

This section of the Ocoee River was "remodeled" to create the white water course for the Olympics in a process that began in 1988.

The course consists of the natural river, augmented by a series of meticulously crafted artificial channels, pools, and rock features. When water is released for recreational purposes today, TVA is reimbursed for lost power gereation via a surcharge on rafting expeditions.

On the way home we drove up to Boyd's Bald, an overlook above the river.

There are more trails up here, but we didn't go far. It was time to get back to work at Carol's.

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