Day 2
Madison County Contra

In August 2008, we paddled this nine-mile section in drought conditions and it was enough to convince us that, given the ongoing two-year drought, we’d best not take our chances tackling the Broad in 2009, and thus, Paddle Georgia 2009 on the Coosawattee and Oostanaula was born.

“Sandbars and Shoals” was the apt title for that day in August as we picked our way through what we hoped were the deepest channels of water. We wound up dragging our boats often.

But, in low water the river had its charms. River cooters could be spotted in the shallows and chased down for fun. Fish swam in enormous schools in the clear deep holes on the outside bends of the river. Sandbars were available for relaxation and play.

The route takes us by the Broad’s third outfitter, The Sandbar, which is located through a set of shoals just beyond our launch site near Ga. 172. Ultimately, the shoals give way to the sandbars as the short route winds to Ga. 72 and our take out—appropriately located at Turner Concrete which operates a sand dredge here, pulling the river’s most prolific product from its watery bowels.

It will be a leisurely Sunday on another rural stretch of the undammed Broad.