See all 3 routes on Ocmulgee River
Georgia | Middle Georgia / Ocmulgee
Ocmulgee RiverPopes Ferry to Amerson Water Park
A 10-mile Ocmulgee day run from the Popes Ferry ramp through Arkwright Shoal to the Amerson Water Park canoe takeout.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Plan a same-day 10-mile Georgia river trip with a staged shuttle, PFDs, current gauge check, and daylight margin.
Access map
Put-in
Popes Ferry public rampAmerican Whitewater notes silt can cover the Popes Ferry ramp after high flow; inspect the carry before launching.
Take-out
Amerson Water Park canoe rampAmerson gates close in the evening; do not plan a dusk arrival.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- American Whitewater notes silt can cover the Popes Ferry ramp after high flow; inspect the carry before launching.
- Amerson gates close in the evening; do not plan a dusk arrival.
Watch for
- USGS discharge below 500–700 cfs or above 3,000–4,500 cfs
- River Mist and Arkwright shoals, submerged rocks, and strainers
- urban water quality, gate hours, and daylight loss
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Ocmulgee River at GA 18, at Dames Ferry, GA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Ocmulgee River at GA 18, at Dames Ferry, GA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 700 cfs to 3,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 6,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Dames Ferry guidance: roughly 450–1,500 cfs keeps the shoals technical; 3,000–4,500 cfs changes features and current substantially |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named route and public endpointsPopes Ferry to Amerson Water Park, about 10 miles
American Whitewater documents the exact Popes Ferry-to-Macon reach, Dames Ferry gauge, named Popes Ferry and Amerson access points, and flow-dependent shoal behavior; Georgia Rivers provides current Amerson access details.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 02212735
The route uses direct USGS telemetry for same-day discharge or stage checks.
- Numeric flow guidanceAmerican Whitewater Dames Ferry guidance: roughly 450–1,500 cfs keeps the shoals technical; 3,000–4,500 cfs changes features and current substantially
Use this as conservative planning guidance, not a guarantee of safe conditions; rising water, debris, weather, and local notices override it.
- Access and safety postureNamed public or managed endpoint pair
Confirm current hours, parking, closures, launch fees, and take-out conditions before committing.
- Camping classificationnearby_basecamp
Use Macon lodging or established campgrounds; Amerson Water Park is day-use with no overnight parking.
- Public access controlUse only named public or managed access points
No private-bank, roadside, or inferred access is included in the route plan.
- SeasonalityMarch–November planning window
Fall is a practical shoulder-season window for the middle Ocmulgee. Check rainfall, release context, water quality, and daylight before committing to the urban finish.
- Photo contextSame-river context photo
The gallery photo shows this river elsewhere, not the exact reach or current conditions.
- Overlap decisionDistinct access-to-access itinerary
The route is retained because its endpoint pair and trip purpose are materially distinct from other Georgia candidates.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Ocmulgee River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Popes Ferry to Amerson Water Park route on the Ocmulgee River?
Paddle Today watches Ocmulgee River at GA 18, at Dames Ferry, GA and treats 700 cfs to 3,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Popes Ferry to Amerson Water Park route on the Ocmulgee River start and end?
This route starts at Popes Ferry public ramp and ends at Amerson Water Park canoe ramp, about 10 river miles on the water.
Is the Popes Ferry to Amerson Water Park route on the Ocmulgee River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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