Crime & Safety
Teen Stranded by High Water on the Chattahoochee; Friends Helped Her Get Out
Teen was OK, but the close call was a reminder to stay safe on the river.
With the arrival of summer, more people will look to the Chattahoochee River to cool off.
A Friday report of a teenage girl stranded by rising water on the river is a fitting reminder for visitors to pay attention to changing conditions.
Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said firefighters, including the Swiftwater Rescue Unit, responded to a call around 3:30 p.m. of the teen stranded in the water near Settles Bridge Park. The teen was already out of the water by the time the rescuers arrived.
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“She was assisted out by friends,” Rutledge said in a media release. “Several other people in the river at the time were able exit the water on their own and were not hurt.”
Rutledge says all visitors to the ‘Hooch should call to find out the water release schedule at the Buford Dam, 1-855-326-3559 (1-855-DAM-FLOW). The water level rises and becomes turbulent when electricity is generated at the dam.
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