Heavy rains on Saturday, August 21, 2010 brought significant flooding around Tallulah Falls below Lake Rabun. I stopped off at the bridge on Terrora Circle to take some pictures of the Tallulah River. This stretch is normally almost dry since water is tunneled from Lake Rabun to the power plant at the head of Tallulah Falls Lake. The shoals below the bridge were really moving!
Next, down to the dam at the bridge across the gorge in Tallulah Falls, GA, and as expected, water was being released over the dam. I was hoping to get some video of Tempesta Falls in Tallulah Gorge since it can be quite impressive during a flood. Walking out on the bridge, I noticed one of the flood gates hanging unusually over the dam with large amounts of water pouring out from underneath. The lake was going to have to drain considerably, and uncontrollably, before this could be fixed.
Monday morning Tallulah Falls Lake was about 10 feet low and Georgia Power crews were attempting to remove a tree lodged in the gate.
For updated article follow this link.
The story from Sky104 News:
A family out of North Carolina thanks God for keeping one of their relatives safe after the weekend rescue at Burton Dam.
Fred Cook says his brother, Eddie Cook of Murphy, NC, called him just before 6 a.m. Saturday morning when he realized he could be in danger.
Cook says he steered his boat towards his little brother’s and threw him a rope.
However, the rope broke because of the strong currents and Cook says, “The boat went over the spillway and he jumped towards me. I tried to throw him a rope, but I couldn’t get a rope to him. I saw when he went over the spillway. All I could say was ‘it was a miracle’. All I could say was ‘God, help him. I can’t.”
Cook says that’s when he called 911 and then went looking for his brother on the other side of the dam.
“By then the emergency workers had gotten there and some of them were up on the dam. I was standing down in the river looking for him, and one of the guys hollered at me and said ‘are you Freddie?’ I said ‘Yes, sir I am.’ And he said ‘Your brother has hollered and said to tell Freddie that I’m all right.”
Cook says his brother slid down a rusty cable but came out of the ordeal without a single scratch.
He says he thanks God, the emergency crews and particularly Deputy EMA Director Marty Dixon who rappelled down to bring his brother to safety.
“That guy that was hanging over the wall on the rope was watching them shut the water down until they could see him. Then when they could see him good, and had enough water shut off, he swung around in there and put the rope and the straps and stuff on him and pulled him out.”
Cook says he and his brother will be back next year to fish the lake, but will not go near the dam.
This photo from Rabun Rescue
Pictures of the rescue and the boat that went over the open gate at Lake Burton dam this past Saturday, August 14th.
Photos by Mountain Patrol
This is a rare chance to own a piece of mountain property in Northeast Georgia that has a little bit of everything. Offered for sale are two waterfront cabins right at the edge of a set of ponds, fed at the top by a small waterfall. The rest of the almost six acres is across the creek and ascends to another building site with view potential and U.S. Forest Service land boundary. The Persimmon Community location is perfect… between Tallulah River trout fishing, nearby Lake Burton boat ramp, and a short trip back to Clayton, GA for provisions. The property is gated and also features a barn with plenty of room for a workshop and loft storage.
267 Turkey Mountain Road, Clayton, GA 30525 would make an excellent weekend getaway with guest cottage, hunting/fishing camp, artist’s retreat, or investment property. Offered at appraised value $315,000. Please call Jon Barnwell with RE/MAX of Rabun at 706-490-0326 to schedule a visit to this special place.
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