SUWANEE - A group of older teenagers stranded in the middle of the Chattahoochee River was safely recovered Wednesday evening by personnel from John's Creek and Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge said crews were called to the location just north of Settles Bridge Park in Suwanee around 6:30 p.m. following reports of 6 older teens, each approximately 18 to 20 years old, that were stranded on rocks in the middle of the river.
The group, which was roughly 30 yards offshore, had apparently become stranded when power generation at Buford Dam caused the water levels to rise abruptly.
Rutledge said swift-water teams from the Gwinnett and John's Creek Fire Departments responded to the call. He said John's Creek deployed an upstream-traveling boat from McGinnis Ferry while Gwinnett County deployed a downstream-traveling boat at Buford Dam Park.
The John's Creek rescue team made first contact with the group, and safely removed them from the rocks at 7:09 p.m.
According to Rutledge, the teens were then escorted back to Settles Bridge Park without further incident.
No injuries were reported.
Monday
August 25th, 2025
11:18AM
