Chattahoochee River in Georgia US

Chattahoochee River

It begins as a spring in the fittingly name "Chattahoochee Gap," little more than a trickle of water at 3200 feet. Over the first 100 miles the river falls almost 2400 feet, forms a major Southeast lake (Lanier) and provides water for millions of Georgians. The river has played a key role in the history of the state. Paleolithic and Woodland Indians called it home. Moundbuilders navigated it as far north as present-day Helen. The Cherokee and Creek used the river as a border, first between their Nations, then between themselves and early settlers. In its watershed the first great American Gold Rush occurred. Crossing the river was a major accomplishment for William Tecumseh Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign. The flooding of the "...valleys of Hall" helped to feed Georgia's second "gold rush" -- tourism.

Today, in addition to providing drinking water and power in north Georgia the Chattahoochee is a major source of recreation. Fishing, tubing, canoeing, boating, hiking and camping on its banks, shores, and in its watershed are all popular activities.

But the Chattahoochee is also challenged: north of Atlanta, the once pristine condition of the river and its tributaries is being repeatedly intruded upon by the city's sprawling growth, in some cases illegally, and south of the city, the river retains a reputation of being one of the most heavily polluted stretches of river in the country.

Throughout this article About North Georgia publisher Randy Golden looks at the important role the Chattahoochee River played in the history of north Georgia, the geography, geology, hydrology and ecology of this important river, and the unique opportunities of the river that defines the state.