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CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

About Me


This profile is dedicated to the preservation of Chattahoochee River and its recreational opportunities.
Typically, rivers meander and change course over time. However, the Chattahoochee River is one of the oldest and most stable river channels within the United States, since it's essentially "locked" in place, flowing along the Brevard Fault Zone. The climate in the area of the Hooch has mild winters with hot, humid Summers. Very temperate Spring and Fall climate.
Tidbit: Jones Bridge spanned the Chattahoochee River from 1904-1922 falling into disrepair in the 1930's. Half of the bridge was "stolen" in 1940, neighbors didn't know the workers cutting the bridge were not authorized to do so until it was too late.
5th Annual
BACK TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER RACE & FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Race 9:00am
Festival 10:00am–2:00pm
Come join your community in this annual celebration of River appreciation!
The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR), National Park Service and the City of Roswell, GA present a canoe and kayak race and environmental festival ever year in June.
The Race
The race starts at Garrard Landing Park on the River at Holcomb Bridge Road and finishes at Roswell’s Riverside Park, the venue for the festival, music and awards. The race is open to both solo and tandem paddlers. There are open events for the competitors and recreational events for families and fledgling canoeists. They are also promoting a corporate team challenge category and would like companies and organizations to promote this to their employees.
The Festival
In conjunction with the race, an environmental festival is held at Riverside Park offering a boat and gear swap, great food, blue grass music and many environmental organizations and recreational outfitters on hand to share their information and resources. At the festival, citizens can learn how to caste a fly fishing rod, kids can visit the environmental arts and craft tables or see live animals at the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s wildlife display.
Sponsors include: 99X Radio, Amana Academy, Balch & Bingham, Brown and Caldwell, CH2M Hill, Chevron, City of Atlanta, Georgia Transmission Corp, Harry's Farmers Market/Whole Foods, High Country Outfitters, Honda Marine, SweetWater Brewery, Tom's of Maine, The Coca-Cola Company, The Weather Channel, The Outside World, and Turner Broadcasting System (TBS).
For more information about the Race & Festival click here
THIRD ANNUAL PADDLE GEORGIA ADVENTURE
June 23-29, 2007
Ocmulgee River
Monticello to Hawkinsville
This summer, join fellow paddling enthusiasts for the Third Annual Paddle Georgia Adventure, a project of the Georgia River Network. This is a week-long, 115-mile canoe/kayak adventure on the Ocmulgee River from Monticello to Hawkinsville where you will experience Georgia as you never have before.
Some highlights of this year's adventure are
* Daily paddle trips averaging 17 miles
* Nightly camping with meals, games, entertainment and educational programs
* Tours of industrial facilities, historic sites and more
* Scientific research including chemical and biological water monitoring
* Companionship and camaraderie with hundreds of fellow paddlers
* Fundraiser for Georgia River Network and Central Georgia Rivers Partnership
For more information about Paddle Georgia 2007 click here
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER CHALLENGER SERIES
May-August 2007
Paddle with the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
and Guide Richard Grove!
UCR Guide Richard Grove has his Kayak Instructor's Certificates and is certified for CPR/First Aid. With his extensive experience and animated personality, you'll be sure to have a great time exploring sections of the Chattahoochee.
Roswell (Azalea) Park to Paces Mill – June 16, 2007
This 13.5-mile trip has it all. After paddling through 4 ½ miles of lake, past the interesting bluffs, we will portage around Georgia Power’s Morgan Falls Dam. The portage is easy and very rewarding to see the Dam up close. After leaving the Dam, it is an easy paddle to the I-285 overpass; then you are on the exciting run through the Devil’s Race Course in the Palisades. Bring a lunch and we’ll eat at Cochran Shoals. Bring a change of dry clothes for just in case.
Buford Dam to Roswell (Azalea) Park – July 7, 2007
Just a little tough…..this 31-mile paddle can take between 7 ½ to 10 hours depending on the water levels. This is not a speed race, but instead a long steady paddle so eat your Wheaties and bring food, drink and sunscreen. This is the Buford Dam to Metlock bridge and the Medlock Bridge to Azalea Park trips in one long day. Bring a change of dry clothes for just in case.
Evening Paddle - Morgan Falls Dam to Paces Mill – July 14, 2007
This is an easy 9 mile paddle suitable for beginners and a great way to end a summer day. The trip starts below the historic100 year old Morgan Falls Dam, owned and operated by Georgia Power. It’s a gentle 2 mile paddle on flat water to the new boat ramp at Johnson Ferry Park. The last 7 miles of the trip from Johnson Ferry to Paces Mill is the most famous paddle on the Chattahoochee River. From Johnson Ferry it is another 2 miles on flat water to the Cochran Shoals Park. By this time beginners should know how to paddle and have good boat control. From here the meandering river speeds up a little and there are rocks to paddle around before reaching the I-285 bypass. This is good practice and the fun is just beginning. You came on this trip to paddle and have fun and here it comes. Below I-285 the river gets exciting as we paddle through some shoals and the Devil’s Race Course. Don’t let the name scare you. This is a fun roller coaster ride on class I or II water, and the best the Chattahoochee has to offer. Just point your boat down river, keep paddling and enjoy the short fun ride. This river again slows and winds past bluffs and under I-75. Around a few more curves with the sun setting this wonderful trip comes to an end at the Paces Mill Park.
Medlock Bridge to Paces Mill – July 21, 2007
Is it tough or fun? It’s a long day that ends with a smile. This trip is 27-miles down the river, through the lake, around the dam and over the shoals. What more could you ask for? The trip will take 7 to 10 hours so if you’re up to it and want a day on the river, this might be it. This is the Medlock to Azalea Park and the Azalea Park to Paces Mill trips in one long day. Bring food, drink, sunscreen and a change of dry clothes for just in case
Weekend River Trip - July 28 & 29, 2007
The trip begins at Abbotts Bridge (10 miles) or Medlock Bridge (6 miles) to Garrard Landing.. Supper will be BBQ pulled pork & chicken plus 4 side items and then we’ll watch the sun go down. Come and be a part of this first overnight canoe/kayak camping trip along the Chattahoochee River. Once the trip starts everyone will be asked to stay at the campsite except for emergencies. This trip is designed for you to enjoy the river and the great outdoors while roughing it a little. This trip is still in the planning stages so please stay tuned for more details.
Paddle Mania – August 11, 2007
Join the first-ever 24-hour Recreational Paddle! This trip will start at Medlock Bridge with an expected finish 90 miles downstream at Franklin, GA. We’re going to paddle till the sun goes down, and then we’re going to paddle till the sun comes back up, and then we’re going to paddle till it’s over. If you think you’re tough enough, do it and then talk about it. The only shuttle will be at the end of the 24 hours. Should you wish to paddle part of the way shuttling will be each paddler’s responsibility. 1st 20 minute stop Azalea Park with bathroom, 2nd 20 minute stop Paces Mill with bathroom, 3rd 20 minute stop 4 hours later with trees, 4th 20 minute stop 4 hours later with trees. This is not a race - the group will paddle together. Limited to 20 EXPERIENCED PADDLERS ONLY!
For more information about the Challenger Series click here

My Interests

rafting, canoeing, kayaking, clean water, hiking, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, caving and other fun outdoor activities...

I'd like to meet:

Others who want to make the Chattahoochee a clean river for our water supply and recreational opportunities.

Show your support for the Chattahoochee and add us to your Friends List.

A few websites to check out...
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
• Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
• Hotlanta Adventures Outdoor & Social Club
• Adopt-A-Stream Program of Metro Atlanta

more info to come soon...

Heroes:

History & Culture
The southern Appalachian Mountains are ancient mountains. Once as tall and rugged as the Alps, these ancient mountains have been changed by the hand of geologic time. Today they are cloaked in a dense mantel of diverse vegetation; oak, hickory, and hemlock; rhododendron, laurel, wildflowers and ferns. These mountains are home to the bear, turkey, and salamander.
This rugged wilderness gives rise to an ancient river, the Chattahoochee. Seeping from a small patch of sand and gravel on the south slope of Jacks Knob; just 100 meters south of Chattahoochee Gap on the Appalachian Trail. Fed by many springs and tiny tributaries, the river grows quickly as it travels down the steep mountainside.
With cascades, crashing falls, and crystal clear water, the river, rushing about boulder and log, leaves the Appalachians, traverses the piedmont province, enters the coastal plain, and finally adds its waters to the Gulf of Mexico to create the nursery of the Apalachicola. It was, according to some geologists, a greater river that created this corridor. However, over the millennia, tributary waters were taken by the savannah and Tennessee Rivers through Geologic stream capture.
Through the millions of years and the grand changes of the Earth, the river stayed its course under the influence of the Brevard Fault. In very recent times, geologically speaking, the river was shrouded in a dense cloak of fog providing protective insulation for broad-leafed hardwoods and herbaceous plants. As the ice receded in the far north and the climate warmed, the plants migrated from the river corridor disbursed by water, wind, and wildlife. In time the piedmont and mountains held a rich and abundant diversity of natural resources. The ancient Chattahoochee continued to flow from the mountains and across the piedmont. Our term, Piedmont, comes from the Italian word, piemonte, “at the foot of the mountains”. Once mountainous itself, the piedmont has worn to rolling hills, punctuated by the occasional lone mountain and dissected by steep stream ravines.
And so it was this wealth of resources, some 8,000 years ago; not ever eyes blink in geologic time; attracted humans. Palieo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, and finally, during historic times, Cherokee and Creek all used the river corridor in turn. Soon persons from Europe and Africa entered the piedmont. Coexistence was replaced by removal because of rich farmlands, abundant water power, and very high grade gold. Mills along Rottenwood, Sope, and Vickery Creeks produced flour, cornmeal paper, and textiles. Farms flourished and gold was removed from hillsides and streambeds. The mills; operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; employed hundreds of workers. That is until July of 1864 when General William T. Sherman arrived with his army. The mills were burned, many skilled workers were exiled to the north, and surprising the army of the south; Union Forces crossed the river at Sope Creek flanking the Confederates.
Over time much was rebuilt, some enterprises succeeded, some faded away, times were often difficult along the river.