4. Oosterneck Access point to Tellico Plains

The usual put in for this run is the Oosterneck access point on Hwy 165, just before River Road which follows the Tellico up to the middle and upper sections.   From there it is about a 3.5 to 4 mile float down towards town. Take out access is not great at the moment.  We asked a local business if we could use their overflow lot near the residential bridge over the river.   As of this writing (March 2024) there is no public take out point. I would say about 2.5 feet on the Tellico gauge is a reasonable minimum, but the stream can probably be paddled lower if you don't mind banging a lot of rocks.  Upper levels depend on your bravery and skill sets.  Most of the run is in the class 2/3 range.  The two larger sets of the ledges, the one just down stream of the Hwy bridge, and the one behind the cabins just pass the Tellico Beach cafe, are in the class 3 to 4 range depending on levels and line choice. _Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to the Streams of Tennessee_, B. Sehlinger This is a nice and easy roadside float, or something to run when everything else is at flood. Due to the fact that the streambed is nearly twice as wide as the gorge upstream it can handle 2000 cfs easily. The downside it that it takes a bit more water than the gorge to get this section running. See also: - Trout Hatchery to Bridge above Bald River (Class II-III) - Bridge above Bald River to bridge below Jerod's Knee (Upper Tellico) (Class III-IV+) - Bridge below Jerod's Knee to Ranger Station (Lower Tellico) (Class II-III) - Julie Keller's excellent description and photos of the Tellico