Chattahoochee River

I Chattaho OIC I -Yr{t National Recreation Area Georgia National Park Service U.S. Department ol the lnterior River E r F A River, a City, a Park The river is the Chattahoochee, the city is Atlanta, and the park is a series of park lands along a 77-kilometer (48-mile) stretch of the river. This park is a place rich in natural and human history, each influenced by the pervasive force of the river. Usually clear, cold, and slow-moving, the river sometimes becomes a muddy torrent, plunging through its rockbound shoals. For centuries people have been drawn to the river for food and transportation and for power to sustain the mills, factories, and homes that have been built along its banks. Today the river attracts us for different reasons. Now people come to float down the river, to hike the trails along its banks, to play touch football in the meadows, and simply to relax. The park is an outdoor classroom, too, with opportunities for expanding your horizons through nature walks studying plants, birds, and the river. forests, and chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits are seemingly everywhere. Turtles share the river with other aquatic life. Snakes, salamanders, lizards, frogs, and toads live in allthe natural habitats along the river. Venture into the forest and you set off a noisy reaction as grasshoppers, dragonflies, and butterflies leap and fly to escape the foot you so innocently placed. At any season, the Chattahoochee's banks are a tangle of color. Dogwoods, redbuds, trout lilies in early spring are followed by flame azaleas, asters, and wild violets. During the fallthe cardinalflower and the showy scarlet sumac turn a brilliant red. A solitary walk enioying nature's display, rafting leisurely with friends, fishing on the misty waters as the sun comes up, picnicking on a Sunday afternoon-this is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area. Here beaver and muskrats live in burrows along the river's bank, fox and raccoons make their homes in the hardwood Enjoying the River Whether an hour canoe trip with a friend, or an all-day raft outing with the family, exploring the Chattahoochee can be great fun' lf you don't have your own raft, you can rent one, from May through September, from concessioners located at Johnson Ferry and Powers lsland. The concessioners also have a limited number of canoes and kayaks. Other watercraft rentals are located outside the park. The concessioner also provides a shuttle service, at a nominal fee, lor Johnson Ferry, Powers lsland, and Paces Mill (last take-out point)' so you can get back to your car easily. For more information please call (404) 955-6931 . The Chattahoochee is an excellent river for beginners, and what rapids exist are gentle and easily managed. See the table (below) for details on distance and time from one point to another. There are dangers, of course, as there are with any activity involving water. Currents can be strong around the submerged, iagged rocks and snags that crowd the Chattahoochee. lt is wise to wear tennis shoes, for they provide good traction on the slippery rocks and protection from sharp objects. Enleying the Land Besides the recreational activities you can enioy on the river, there is a lot you can do on land. Numerous trails lace the park. Some wander along the lorest floor, cool and green. Other trails lollow the river's edge. Large open meadows welcome you to have a picnic, lly a kite, or throw a frisbee. And there is ample room for an organized game of football or soccer. Picnic areas, with grills, tables, and trash containers, are located in some of the park's units. lnformality is the byword here; relax and enjoy yourself. Palisades Unit Upland ridge trails lead to panoramas ol the river gorge, then down through wooded forests to floodplain trails where rock outcroppings, sandy beaches, expanses of shoalwater, and some evidence of human activity can be seen. Cochran Shoals Unit The Cochran Fitness Trail, approximately 5 kilo- Check waler conditions belore you set out. The river can rise swiltly, though quietly, when water is released lrom the upriver dams as generating needs determine when and how much water may be released. Because of these hazards, swimming in the river is not recommended. River Safety Tips ! Always wear a lile Preserver. tr Know your put-in point and take-out point. Tell others of your plans. I Be aware of the weather and water conditions. Lightweight clothing in the summer is adequate. During the cooler seasons, wear clothes with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers that is comfortable and quick-drying. A blend of cotton and polyester is a perlect combination. Nylon also is a good fabric. Heavy denim materials are slow to dry and should be avoided. For cold weather, wool is a necessity' Wool retains heat even when wet. n Never float or swim alone. X lf others spill, assist and rescue. tr Jumping from rock ledges into the cold water can be very dangerous. meters (3 miles) long wilh optional loops, is an activity path that is enioyed by exercise enthusiasts' nature lovers, and educators. Here a course with 22 exercise stations has been installed. This fitness trail is also a very popularlogging path lor many people who come to train and enjoy their daily iog away from the urban world. The trail offers each person the chance to participate in a leisurely walk, a run, a total body exercise workoul, or any combination of these. Sope Creek Unit Trails lead through moderately steep to rolling hills to lush ravines and wooded areas, old homesites, a small lishing lake, and paper mill ruins. Gold Branch Unit ln this secluded wooded area, some trails lead into marshy environments, others lead to open fields that once were rich farmlands. Several trails end at Bull Sluice Lake, the reservoir behind Morgan Falls Dam. I Carry a durable plastic bag lor litter and properly discard it at the takeout point. A Word About Hypothermia lmmersion in cold water (below 21"G/70oF) can lower body temperature to the critical point. Arms and Iegs can quickly become numb, and unconsciousness and heart lailure may result as the body's core temperature drops. ll you capsize in cold water, get out as quickly as possible. Get into a sitting position. ln the water, keep toes up and leet together, pointing downstream. Paddle and steer with arms and go with the river currents, working your way toward shore. Fishing For hundreds of years people have fished the Chattahoochee for trout, bream, bass, and catfish. Fishing on this section of the Chattahoochee, which is a designated trout stream, can be a marvelous wilderness experience. A valid Georgia fishing license with a trout stamp is required. viclerv cr""i unit Trails lead into a gorge containing ruins ol preCivil War textile mills, a dam, and other structures. lsland Ford Unit Bidge trails lead down to the river where you can view a very scenic section ol islands and whitewater shoals. Use of trails For your safety, please stay on the established trails and avoid clifl areas. The Cochran Fitness Trail is for pedestrians wheelchairs, and bicycles only. Horses are not permitted on the path, except to cross it. All other established park trails are for pedestrian and horseback use. Detailed trail maps are available lor some of the park units. Public Access Points Distance ApproximateFloatTime-Hours From To (Approx.) (Depending on water level) Bowmans lsland Abbotts Bridge 21 km Canoe 13 mi 6-B Abbotts Medlock 6.5 km Bricige Bricjge 4mi 1-2 Medlock Bridge Jones Bridge 5km 3mi 1-1% 1%-2 Jones Bridge Chattahoochee River Park 19 km 12 mi 6-8 9-12 Morgan Falls Johnson Ferry 3km 2mi %-1 1-2 Johnson Ferry Powers lsland 6km 3.5 mi 1-3 2-4 Powers lsland Paces 5km 3mi 1-2 1-3 Miil Raft 9-10 Stit wi".,, .a la * The park is a great place for people of all ages. Opportunities abound {or a wide range of activities on land and water. Fish, such as the rainbow, brook, a and brown trout, thrive in the cold waters of the Chattahoochee. TENNESSEE Where You Are ff3:E:""\ Marletta' The map at left shows a portion of the 702-kilometer (436-mile) Chaltahoochee River as it flows lrom the mountains of north Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. The separate units of Chattahoochee River National Hecreation Area are shown by green dots. The map also shows National Forests, a National Wildlife Hefuge, and National Park Service Areas -Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlelietd Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and Preservation District, lnd Ocmulgee National Monument-within an easy drive of Atlanta. Regulations I Pets must be kept under physicalcontrol (on a leash) at alltimes. D Please use picnic grills or your own portable stove for cooking. Open campfires are not permitted. Firearms are prohibited. tr Overnight camping is not allowed. tr Please help in keeping your river park clean. Use trash containers to discard litter. I f Some of the historic structures and ruins in the park are unstable. Climbing on them, which could lead to an accident is prohibited. Some land within the authorized boundary remains in private ownership. Please be alert to the possibility of trespass and respeqt the rights ol property owners. tl All plants, animals, natural features, and historic sites are Federally protected. I Park lnformation (404) 952-1466 River lnformation Buford Dam (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Morgan Falls Dam (Georgia PowerCorp.) (404) 945-1466 (404) 329-14s5 Administration Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department ol the lnterior. For more information, write to the Superintendent, 1900 Northridge Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, or call (404) 394-7912' * GPOr 1984-421-578/439 Reprint 1984 National Recreation Area Georgia clfi b.Ll?. hoochee National Park Service U.S. Department of the lnterior Ri TTTi o 0 1 kilometer 2 ll-:T-l-1 National Park [, ''\:.',i,,j service area l*****""1 unpaved r E,-= [€4r..-'l -\{\q* River milepost Other oublic area rrait l----l Private land within authorized boundary \ GD nanger station \ B:':1. 3*:i::.:x:! -' ES .aft L;;;;-' fu Canoe and ran launcn ftifl Picnic area \ \,, \\\=-==_u-A Sf eartins m ( !-1 : /p ,6 \o \. cE r\ )) t\ a\ ,rrY'-. Road -\t] ---\ //J(,ner Bridgc ^ bfShoals11 llnes Park 1ty) c] a; r \,________,-_ l--l 1_ c>-J/ (. ROSW '\.... ,\t Road )\ ' :?22 v!".9 lN| 1,..,=*rq;,r.,,._,, itino rora 321.-.-:./ iF I tcrd ----::"'-i \ /..7il"' 't ars .,. :- ' -l rk Heddquarters- -. 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