The body of Chattanooga resident Russell Burrow, 31, was discovered in Chickamauga Creek on Saturday morning.

Mr. Burrow went missing Thursday after he went kayaking by himself. Friends reported him missing Friday night after he didn’t show up for work.

Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks, Hamilton County Special Tactics and Rescue Services and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office led the search for Mr. Burrow.

After spotting Mr. Burrow’s car, rescuers found his kayak at around 10:30 a.m. His body was found shortly afterward near the Thrasher Pike Bridge.

Recent rain made Thursday’s waters run high and rough, making Mr. Burrow’s solo trip especially risky, officials said.

Matt Majors, an officer with TWRA, said the case will be treated as a boating accident and investigated further.

“It appears to be just what it is,” Mr. Majors said. “Probably heavy rains, flowing creek versus somebody who just maybe got into a bad situation and couldn’t get out.”

Mr. Burrow was originally from Nashville and friends say he was an experienced kayaker.