Table 15 Summary of Dams on the Chattahoochee River in …Dam.pdfChattahoochee River Impoundment of...

100 C o m p r e h e n s i v e I n v e n t o r y

Buford DamLocated approximately 50 miles northeastof the City of Atlanta, Buford Dam isthe farthest upstream impoundment ofthe Chattahoochee River. Buford Damwas completed in 1957 by the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers (ACOE) with theprincipal purposes of flood control, navi-gation, power generation, recreation, anddrinking water (Jordan, Jones &Goulding, Inc. [JJ&G], 1991).

Upstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverIn 1959, Buford Dam began to controlthe daily flows from both the Chatta-hoochee River and the Chestatee River(Holmbeck-Pelham and Rasmussen,1997). The result of this impoundmentwas Lake Sidney Lanier (Lake Lanier), areservoir of over 38,000 acres in area(Holmbeck-Pelham and Rasmussen,1997). During construction of BufordDam, it is estimated that 14,000 acres offorest were cleared and thousands oflandowners were displaced. Many of thebuildings, trees, and structures sub-merged by this impoundment of the

Chattahoochee River remain underwatertoday (ACOE website, 2000).

Downstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverThe natural daily and historical annualflow characteristics of the ChattahoocheeRiver have been greatly altered by the con-struction of Buford Dam, producing awider variation in flows than recordedprior to Buford Dam’s start of operationin 1957 (Stevens, 1993). Within the past10 years, daily release flow rates have av-eraged approximately 2,000 cubic feet persecond (cfs). A minimum flow of ap-proximately 600 cfs is maintained at alltimes; however, full hydropower releasesproduce flows ranging from 8,000 to9,000 cfs (JJ&G, 1991).

Figure 59 contains a hydrograph depict-ing the historical annual streamflow forthe Chattahoochee River at Buford Dambefore and after the impoundment ofthe river. Prior to 1957, the very high peakflows reflect flood conditions in the un-regulated river. These peaks are notice-ably subdued after 1957, when BufordDam began operation. However, it is in-teresting to note that while noticeably

subdued, the peaks become more tightlygrouped following the start of operationof Buford Dam. This tighter groupingof subdued peaks represents the peak hy-dropower discharges from Buford Damand correlates to times of maximum hy-dropower generation. The lower peaksrepresent normal river flows for that timeperiod. The lower flows between theyears 1952 and 1956 correlate to a periodof severe drought experienced in the ba-sin during that time. On average, theflows depicted on Figure 59 illustrate theregulating effect Buford Dam has on theChattahoochee River. From the stand-point of flood control, Figure 59 dem-onstrates the beneficial effect that BufordDam has had on the downstream por-tion of the Chattahoochee River.

The water level of Buford Dam’s dis-charge is hypolimnetic. As discussed inthe Overview, this type of deep dischargetypically produces colder waters that affectthe downstream environment. BufordDam discharges water that is colder thannatural conditions, although the water isclearer as well. While construction ofBuford Dam profoundly changed thedownstream environment of the Chat-

DamRiver Mile(from mouth

of river)

AssociatedLake

BecameOperational

Owner/Operator

ReservoirSurface

Area(acres)

TotalPower

Capacity(kW)

Buford 384 SidneyLanier 1959 ACOE 38,542 105,000

MorganFalls 313 Bull Sluice 1904 GPC 580 16,800

West Point

201 West Point 1975 ACOE

25,900(summer)

10,590(winter)

82,200

Langdale 192 not named 1926 GPC 152 1,040Riverview 191 not named 1918 GPC 75 480BartlettsFerry 178 Harding 1951 GPC 5,850 192,000

Source 1: Chattahoochee River Data Summary. Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc., January 1991Source 2: U.S Army Corps of Engineers: Mobile District. Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Water Allocation for theApalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin. (Main Report). Mobile, Alabama: September 1998.

ACOE = Army Corps of EngineersGPC = Georgia Power Company

Table 15

Summary of Dams on the Chattahoochee River in the Piedmont Province.

101C o m p r e h e n s i v e I n v e n t o r y

tahoochee River, the new environmentcreated by the hypolimnetic dischargecreated an excellent trout fishery areabetween Buford Dam and the Atlantametropolitan area that was not previouslypossible in the formerly warmer watersof the Chattahoochee River (Stevens,1993). The excellent quality of the waterdischarged from Buford Dam, as well asthe prime trout habitat it produced, weretwo of the main reasons leading Con-gress to establish the ChattahoocheeRiver National Recreation Area (CRNRA)in 1978 (for further information on theCRNRA, please refer to Recreation later inthis chapter.)

BenefitsBuford Dam serves as a source of hy-droelectric power, producing 173,582megawatts in 1998 (Atlanta RegionalCommission, 1998). This electricity isequivalent to the needs of approximately25,000 homes (ACOE website, 2000).

The large storage capacity of Lake Lanierenables most foreseeable flood events tobe contained. Approximately 65 percentof the flood-storage capacity in the Chat-tahoochee River Basin is provided byLake Lanier (Couch, et. al., 1996). It isestimated that the floodwater retentionof Lake Lanier helps prevent millions ofdollars in flood damage each year (ACOEwebsite, 2000).

Lake Lanier also is an important munici-pal water supply for the 10 counties inGeorgia that comprise the Atlanta region.In 1998, for example, approximately 72percent of the Atlanta Region’s total watersupply came from Lake Lanier and theChattahoochee River (Atlanta RegionalCommission, 1998). The water from LakeLanier alone supplied over 3 million resi-dents in Georgia. Lake Lanier currently isthe Atlanta metropolitan area’s primary wa-ter source (ACOE website, 2000).

Morgan Falls DamLocated approximately 30 miles down-stream from Buford Dam, Morgan FallsDam was constructed by the GeorgiaPower Company in 1904 for the primarypurpose of power generation (ACOE,1998). This dam also provides partialwater-flow control for the discharge fromBuford Dam (JJ&G, 1991).

Upstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverImpoundment of the ChattahoocheeRiver by Morgan Falls Dam resulted in theformation of Bull Sluice Lake, a 580-acrereservoir located just north of Atlanta(JJ&G, 1991). Over 500 acres of land inthe Chattahoochee River Basin were sub-merged to create this reservoir.

Downstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverThe Morgan Falls Dam maintains a con-tinuous minimum flow of 750 cfs

Source:USGS Historical Data.Accessed April 2000 <http://www.ga.water.usgs.gov>

Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam Near Buford, Georgia. Station Number 02334430

50000

45000

40000

35000

30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0

1942

Dis

char

ge,

in C

FS

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967

Figure 59

Historical Streamflow for the Chattahoochee River Near Buford, 1942 - 1972.


(JJ&G, 1991). This minimum dischargeis marginally higher than that of BufordDam, increasing the minimum flow ofthe Chattahoochee River downstream.Virtually all of the downstreamwasteload allocations in the metro Atlantaarea are based on this minimum flow.

BenefitsWhile Bull Sluice Lake still provides someflood control for the ChattahoocheeRiver, Morgan Falls Dam has experienceda significant amount of sediment depo-sition, which has created shallow poolsand wetland areas that are conducive forfishing and lake recreation (ACOE: Mo-bile District, 1998). Consequently, theflood-storage capacity of Bull Sluice Lakeis much diminished. Georgia Power pro-vides no formal recreational facilities atthis location; however, the ChattahoocheeNature Center, a private nature preserve,is located immediately to the north ofBull Sluice Lake. Chattahoochee RiverPark and Morgan Falls Park, both publicpark facilities owned by Fulton County,also are located on Bull Sluice Lake.

West Point DamWest Point Dam is located approximately112 miles downstream of Morgan FallsDam and was constructed by the ACOEin 1975 to provide flood control, powergeneration, and water-flow control of theChattahoochee River (JJ&G, 1991).

Upstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverConstruction of the West Point Dam re-sulted in the creation of West PointLake, a 25,900-acre reservoir located about40 miles north of Columbus-MuscogeeCounty (JJ&G, 1991). Although reservoirlevels fluctuate significantly between thesummer and winter periods, a minimumof 10,500 acres within the ChattahoocheeRiver Basin are always submerged byWest Point Lake. Because approximately70 percent of the drainage basin forWest Point Lake is located belowBuford Dam, upstream hydrologicconditions have a strong effect on theinflows to this lake.

Downstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverA minimum flow of 650 cfs is main-tained by the ACOE at all times fromWest Point Dam, making the minimumdischarge less than that of Morgan FallsDam (ACOE: Mobile District, 1998).However, the average daily release for WestPoint Dam is 4,820 cfs (JJ&G, 1991).

BenefitsWest Point Lake provides a water-supplysource and a discharge location for the Cityof LaGrange (ACOE: Mobile District,1998). Additionally, West Point Dam’s hy-dropower operations are similar to thoseof Buford Dam, producing over 82,000kilowatts (kW) of power. This electricitymeets the needs of approximately 24,000homes (ACOE website, 2000). Many rec-reational opportunities also are available onWest Point Lake (please refer to Recreationlater in this chapter for additional infor-mation on the recreational opportunitiesavailable at this location).

Additional Impoundments on theChattahoochee RiverThree dams have been constructed on theChattahoochee River between West PointDam and the Fall Line Region. Thesedams are:

� Langdale Dam

� Riverview Dam

� Bartletts Ferry Dam

Upstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverThe upstream effects of these three hy-dropower dams on the ChattahoocheeRiver are relatively small. All three damsare operated as run-of-river hydropowerfacilities with negligible storage capacity(JJ&G, 1991). A run-of-river dam is a hy-droelectric dam that operates in such away that streamflows upstream anddownstream of the impoundment arethe same (American Rivers website,2000). In a run-of-river impoundment,the amount of water entering the reser-voir should equal the amount of waterexiting the reservoir, based on real time,

hourly, daily, or weekly flow rates. WhileLangdale Dam and Riverview Dam havesmall reservoirs that are unnamed andhave no significant effect on the Chatta-hoochee River, Bartletts Ferry Dam createsLake Harding, a 5,800-acre impoundmentlocated approximately 7 miles northwestof Columbus-Muscogee County(ACOE: Mobile District, 1998).

Downstream Effects on theChattahoochee RiverThe peak hydropower releases fromLangdale Dam, Riverview Dam, andBartletts Ferry Dam are comparatively lessthan the releases from the dams locatedupstream. Consequently, the hydropowerreleases from these dams do not signifi-cantly change the flow of the Chatta-hoochee River below the dams (JJ&G,1991).

BenefitsThese three dams produce a combinedmaximum of 193,520 kW of hydro-power. The Georgia Power Company alsouses Lake Harding as a water supply, aswell as the location for several recreationalfacilities (please refer to Recreation later inthis chapter for additional informationon these recreational opportunities).

Natural CommunitiesFlora“The Chattahoochee River communities aretypified by Miner Mountain (GwinnettCounty) north of the Holcomb Bridge, wheresteep north-facing slopes support rhododendronsand mountain laurel, with an exceptionalnorthern flora.” (Wharton, 1978).

An overview of dominant vegetationcommunities within the Piedmont Prov-ince is presented below. As with the pre-vious chapter, communities are brokeninto aquatic/riparian and upland.

Aquatic/RiparianBecause of the expanded habitat and in-creased human activity, the aquatic/riparianzone associated with the ChattahoocheeRiver through the Piedmont Province hasa wider diversity of plant species than thatof the Blue Ridge Province. Severalbroad communities are discussed here.


River ChannelThe portion of the river channel that passesthrough the Piedmont Province includesriver impoundments and backwater areas,which are favorable to the growth of sev-eral aquatic species, including some thathave been introduced by man. Examplesof these exotic species include parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) and hydrilla(Hydrilla verticillata). However, impound-ments are generally unfavorable to riparian-dependant native species.

Sand/Gravel BarsIn many areas along the river and its im-poundments, sand/gravel bars haveformed. When sufficient surface area isavailable, vegetation will quickly colonizethese areas. Typical species found in theseareas include soft rush (Juncus effusus), ricecutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), turtle head(Chelone glabra), water-willow (Justiciaamericana), sedges (Carex spp. andRhychospora spp.), cardinal flower (Lobeliacardinalis), smartweeds (Polygonum spp.),bugleweeds (Lycopus spp.), and broadleafarrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia).

FloodplainFloodplains typically are those forestedareas that receive surface flow duringstorm events. Although many of thefloodplain’s dominant trees also arefound in wetland areas, floodplains arenot considered wetlands. Dominant treespecies include box-elder (Acer negundo),river birch (Betula nigra), green ash(Fraxinus pennsylvanica), sweetgum (Liq-uidambar styraciflua), and red maple (Acerrubrum). A variety of shrub species oc-cur in floodplain areas as well. These in-clude spice bush (Lindera benzoin), hollies(Ilex spp.), and silverbell (Halesiatetraptera).

Exotic/Introduced SpeciesThe majority of the Piedmont Provincefloodplains are dominated by one shrubspecies, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense).This exotic species was introduced by thehorticulture trade; however, it has invadedalmost all floodplains in the PiedmontProvince, particularly in areas disturbedthrough past land uses. Because Chineseprivet often will form dense thickets thatare nearly impenetrable, it appears that this

species will have a prolonged adverse ef-fect on the diversity of floodplain under-stories.

WetlandsBecause of its wider floodplains, the Pied-mont Province has larger wetland systemsalong the Chattahoochee River, in compari-son to the Blue Ridge Province. Most ofthese systems typically consist of largeemergent, scrub-shrub, forested, or com-bination floodplain wetlands; however,seep wetland systems still occur alongslopes. Seep wetland systems are oftenfound on steep slopes where the ground-water penetrates the surface of the slope.These systems often discharge water down-stream as surface water. For general pur-poses, vegetation typical of each wetlandstrata is discussed below.

Emergent – These wetlands are dominatedby annual and perennial herbaceous spe-cies. Water usually is present at the soil sur-face for prolonged periods and can includeareas that are inundated because of beaveractivity or man-made influences. Typicalvegetation includes broadleaf cattail (Typhalatifolia), wool-grass (Scirpus cyperinus), red-top panic grass (Panicum rigidulum), softrush (Juncus effusus), climbing hempweed(Mikania scandens), sallow sedge (Carexlurida), blunt broom sedge (Carextribuloides), sharp-winged monkey-flower(Mimulus alatus), fowl mannagrass (Glyceriastriata), smartweeds (Polygonum spp.), anda variety of other sedges (Carex spp.,Rhynchospora spp., Eleocharis spp.).

Scrub-shrub – These wetland systems typi-cally are dominated by the herbaceous spe-cies mentioned above with a shrub overstory.The primary dominant shrub is tag-alder(Alnus serrulata). Other shrub species in-clude spice bush (Lindera benzoin), black wil-low (Salix nigra), highbush blueberry(Vaccinium corymbosum), red chokeberry(Aronia arbutifolia), and Virginia-willow (Iteavirginica).

Forested – A variety of tree species can befound in the Piedmont Province wetlandsystems. The most common are redmaple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidam-bar styraciflua), black willow (Salix nigra),overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), swamp chest-

nut oak (Quercus michauxii), water oak(Quercus nigra), river birch (Betula nigra),sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginina),and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica).

UplandOak/Hickory Forests with Northern AffinitiesLocated on rich slopes that are somewhatsimilar to those of the mixed mesophytictype in the Blue Ridge Province, these com-munities are a result of steep slopes andravines that often form mountain-like mi-croclimates. The similarity to the BlueRidge Province communities lies mainly inthe shrub and herbaceous layer rather thanthe overall forest community.

This area hosts a rich assemblage of wild-flower, many of which overlap with theBlue Ridge Province species. Species foundin this community include spiderwort (Tra-descantia ohiensis), lousewort (Pedicularis

Spiderwort

(Tradescantia ohiensis)

trout-lily

(Erythronium americanum)


canadensis), slender toothwort (Dentariaheterophylla), may-apple (Podophyllumpeltatum), southern nodding trillium (Tril-lium rugelii), little sweet Betsy (Trilliumcuneatum), false solomon’s seal (Smilacinaracemosa), perfoliate bellwort (Uvulariaperfoliata), trout-lily (Erythroniumamericanum), and wild geranium (Geraniummaculatum).

As with the Blue Ridge Province, a diver-sity of ferns and fern allies occurs in thishabitat. Examples include maidenhairfern (Adiantum pedatum), southern ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), marginalshield fern (Dryopteris marginalis), broad-beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera),mountain spleenwort (Aspleniummontanum), and New York fern (Thelypterisnoveboracensis). A rather interesting spe-cies that can be found growing along wetrocks and crevices is meadow spikemoss(Selaginella apoda). This fern ally often ismistaken for a moss.

A wide diversity of shrubs also can befound on these slopes. In close resem-blance to the mesophytic woods, densestands of Ericaceous species have devel-oped. These “heath thickets” may includemountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), fetterbush(Leucothoe spp.), mountain rosebay (Rhodo-dendron catawbiense), rosebay rhododendron(Rhododendron maximum), and dwarf rhodo-dendron (Rhododendron minus). Othershrubs that might be encountered includesilver bell (Halesia tetraptera), spice bush(Lindera benzoin), sweetshrub (Calycanthusfloridus), big-leaf snowbell (Styraxgrandifolia), Georgia buckeye (Aesculussylvatica), dwarf paw paw (Asiminaparviflora), and Piedmont azalea (Rhododen-dron canescens).

Trees associated with this community in-clude American beech (Fagus grandifolia),white oak (Quercus alba), northern redoak (Quercus rubra), mockernut hickory(Carya tomentosa), umbrella magnolia(Magnolia tripetela), big leaf magnolia(Magnolia macrophylla), tulip poplar(Liriodendron tulipifera), and serviceberry(Amelanchier arborea).

Oak/Hickory ForestsThis community type is similar in com-position to that of the Blue Ridge Prov-ince. The primary overall difference is thetopography of the area. Believed at onetime to have covered between 50 and 75percent of the Piedmont Province, theseoak/hickory forests are considered bymany to be the climax community for thePiedmont Province (Wharton, 1978).Dominant components include rockchestnut oak (Quercus montana), black oak(Quercus velutina), blackjack oak (Quercusmarilandica), southern red oak (Quercusfalcata), white oak (Quercus alba), pignuthickory (Carya glabra), sand or pale hickory(Carya pallida), and mockernut hickory(Carya tomentosa). Other deciduous hard-woods that can be expected in this com-munity include red maple (Acer rubrum),tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera),sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), sour-wood (Oxydendrum arboreum), floweringdogwood (Cornus florida), and black gum(Nyssa sylvatica).

Oak/Hickory/Pine ForestsThis community is similar in composi-tion to the previous one, with the ma-jor difference in the occurrence of pinespecies. Normally occurring in the drierportions of the slopes and ridges, pinespecies typical of this area include short-leaf pine (Pinus echinata), Virginia pine(Pinus virginiana), loblolly pine (Pinustaeda), and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris).

Pine Mountain DistrictPine Mountain is located on the borderof the Piedmont and Coastal Plain Prov-inces, and is typified by quartzite capsalong ridges from Alabama east intoGeorgia. Stretching from the Chatta-hoochee River to the Flint River, PineMountain has been characterized as aPine-Hardwood Xeric Ridge and SlopeForest. The vegetation consists of short-leaf pine (Pinus echinata), black-jack oak(Quercus marilandica), rock chestnut oak(Quercus montana), Piedmont azalea(Rhododendron canescens), and low-bushblueberry (Vaccinium pallidum).

Planted PineIn many areas throughout the PiedmontProvince, silvicultural stands of pine havebeen planted. The timber is harvestedfor a variety of purposes. In the upperPiedmont Province, loblolly pine (Pinustaeda) typically is planted while in thelower Piedmont Province, both loblollypine and slash pine (Pinus eliottii) areplanted. The frequency of this silviculturalcommunity is greater in lower area thanthe upper area because of the relative easeof timber management on flatter land.

RuderalMan has profoundly affected the vegeta-tion of this area through such acts asclearing for pasture; row cropping; andbuilding homes, businesses, and roads.These anthropogenic (man-induced)habitats currently occupy a large areaalong the Chattahoochee River in thePiedmont Province, particularly in the At-lanta metropolitan area. These man-made/man-maintained habitats are referred to asruderal. Examples of ruderal habitats in-clude yards, road right-of-way, power lineright-of-way, ballparks, etc.

FaunaAquatic/RiparianAs the Piedmont Province is transitionalon the landscape, its aquatic faunal com-munities are often transitional as well.Within the Chattahoochee River sectionof the Piedmont Province, multitudes oftributaries provide additional faunal habi-tats to the main sections of the river.This convergence of tributaries providesthis portion of the Chattahoochee Riverwith a diversity of species, from typicalsmall stream dwellers to species that arecharacteristic of large river channels.

Invertebrate communities within theChattahoochee River Corridor of thePiedmont Province include considerablediversity and variability, which has resultedpartially from the seasonal flooding anddrought that is persistent throughoutthe corridor, despite the effects of im-poundments. Some of the invertebratescapable of thriving in this fluctuating sys-tem are freshwater crayfish (Cambarushowardi.), dragonflies (Lanthus albistylus),


and snails (i.e. Goniobasis catenoides).These examples are just a small cross-sec-tion of the invertebrate fauna found inthe Chattahoochee River throughout thePiedmont Province.

Feeding on the diverse invertebrate is awide range of fishes common to the Pied-mont Province waters of the Chatta-hoochee River. A representative sampleof these fishes would contain a variety offeeder and game fish, including the spot-ted sucker (Minytrema melanops), brownbullhead (Ictalurus nebulosis), black crappie(Pomoxis nigromaculatus), bluegill (Lepomismachrochirus), blackbanded darter (Percinanigrofasciata), and large-mouth bass(Micropterus salmoides).

UplandThe upland portion of the Chatta-hoochee River Corridor located in thePiedmont Province does not offer anabundance of endemic terrestrial fauna.The primary reason for this lack of di-versity is the relatively consistent terrainwithin the southern Piedmont Provinceand the subsequent ease of movementafforded to the faunal inhabitants. Thisfact understood, the terrestrial faunaalong the Chattahoochee River in thePiedmont Province is similar to that ofother terrestrial fauna throughout thePiedmont Province floodplain.

Higher portions of the ChattahoocheeRiver floodplain support salamanderssuch as the slimy and red-backed(Plethodon glutinosis and P. cinereus, respec-tively). Other reptiles and amphibiansalong the Chattahoochee River includethe red spotted newt (Notophthalmusviridescens), spade foot toad (Scaphiopusholbrooki), green anole (Anolis carolinensis),

green treefrog (Hyla cinerea), 5-linked skink(Eumeces fasciatus), box turtle (Terrapenecarolina), and Fowler’s toad (Bufo fowleri).Small mammals within the Chatta-hoochee River portion of the PiedmontProvince include shrews (Sorex spp.),swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus), rac-coons (Procyon lotor), beavers (Castorcanadensis), muskrats (Ondotra zibethicus),and river otters (Lutra canadensis). In ad-dition to the land-dwelling terrestrialfauna, a diversity of avifauna species in-habits the Chattahoochee River in thePiedmont Province. Flycatchers (Epidonaxspp.), warblers (Dendroica spp. andVermivora spp.), pileated woodpeckers(Dryocopus pileatus), red-shouldered hawks(Buteo lineatus), and barred owls (Strixvaria) are just a few examples.

Introduced/Exotic SpeciesThe Piedmont Province has been sub-jected to the introduction of many non-indigenous species. The two most prob-lematic species found in the Chatta-hoochee River in the Piedmont are theAsian swamp eel (Anguilla sp.) and Asianclam (Corbicula fluminea). Other non-in-digenous fishes introduced primarily forsport, or as accidental bait releases, can beseparated into predominately stream orlake dwelling. Stream species include thebrown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbowtrout (Oncorhyncus mykiss), red shiner(Cyprinella lutrensis), and white sucker(Catostomus cammersoni). Lake dwellingspecies typically include the black bullhead(Ameriurus melas), green sunfish (Lepomiscyanellus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio),smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu),spotted bass (M. punctatus), and yellowperch (Perca flavescens).

These species have successfully establishedthemselves in the warmer streams and

backwaters of the south, and are a threatto indigenous species through competi-tion and predation.

Exotic plant species that have establishedthemselves in the river corridor includeChinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japa-nese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), andkudzu (Pularia lobata). Chinese privet isa particularly severe problem in streamfloodplains, out-competing native speciesin the understory.

Endangered Flora/FaunaCommunitiesUnder the terms of Section 7 of the En-dangered Species Act, federal agencies shall“ensure that any action authorized, funded orcarried out by such agency is not likely to jeopar-dize the continued existence of any endangeredspecies or threatened species or result in the de-struction or adverse modification of habitat ofsuch species which is determined by the Secretaryto be critical…” The ACOE requires pro-tected species surveys for potentially im-pacted areas that must be permitted un-der Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

The status of a protected species is de-termined by the Endangered Wildlife Actof 1973, and The Wildflower PreservationAct of 1973 for state-listed species, andthe Endangered Species Act of 1973 for fed-eral-listed species. Contingent upon thefederal or state status, species are desig-nated as Endangered, Threatened, Rare,or Species of Concern. An Endangeredspecies is in danger of extinctionthroughout all or part of its range. AThreatened species is likely to become anEndangered species in the foreseeable fu-ture throughout all or part of its range.A Rare species is scarce throughout itsrange and is protected for that reason. ASpecies of Concern has population trendsand threats that suggest it may becomeRare throughout its habitat in the nearfuture.

To determine the status of species ofpotential occurrence along the Corridorin this province, a review was conductedof the Georgia Natural HeritageProgram’s on-line database for protectedspecies known to occur in the PiedmontProvince. Table 16 lists the protected

Bluegill

(Lepomis machrochirus) Red Spotted Newt

(Notophthalmus viridescens)


Scientific Name Vernacular NameFederalStatus

StateStatus Preferred Habitat

Faunal SpeciesHaliaeetusleucocephalus*

Bald eagle T EForages and nests near lakes, rivers,and coasts.

Picoides borealisRed-cockadedwoodpecker

E EOpen pine woods; pine savannahs.

Cyprinella callitaenia* Bluestripe shiner SC T

Endemic to Apalachicola Riverdrainage, inhabits mainstem reachesof rivers and large streams in rifflesand runs with rubble or sand substrateand often collected in areas with swiftcurrent velocities.

Graptemys barbouri* Barbour’s map turtle NA T

Inhabit relatively wide and swiftlyflowing streams with abundant snagsand fallen trees, feeding on snails,bivalves, and aquatic insects.

Medioniduspencillatus

Gulf moccasinshellmussel

E E

Medium streams to large rivers withslight to moderate current over sandand gravel substrates; may beassociated with muddy sand substratesaround tree roots.

Aimophila aestivalis Bachman’s sparrow SC RAbandoned fields with scatteredshrubs, pines, or oaks.

Thyromes bewickiialtus

Appalachian Bewick’swren

SC RDense undergrowth, overgrown fields,thickets, and brush in open or semi-open habitat.

Lampsilis subangulataShiny-rayedpocketbook mussel

E E

Medium creeks to the mainstems ofrivers with slow to moderate currentsover sandy substrates and associatedwith rock or clay.

Pleurobema pyriforme Oval pigtoe mussel E E

River tributaries and main channels inslow to moderate currents over siltysand, muddy sand, sand, and gravelsubstrates.

Falco peregrinusanatum

American peregrinefalcon

E ENests on cliffs, high hills, or tallbuildings.

Noturus munitus Frecklebelly madtom N/A E

Rivers with moderate to swift currentover substrates ranging from coarsegravel to boulders, submerged trees,and brush.

Macroclemystemminckii*

Alligator snappingturtle

SC TLarge streams and rivers draining tothe Gulf of Mexico.

Pituophis m.melanoleucus

Northern pine snake SC N/AFlat, sandy pine barrens, sandhills,and dry mountain ridges, most oftenin or near pine woods.

Notropis hypsilepis Highscale shiner SC T

Primarily found in tributary streams,often near stream confluences withlarger rivers; inhabits runs and poolsover sand and bedrock substrates.

Neotoma floridanahaematoreia

Southern Appalachianeastern woodrat

SC N/A Rockslides, cliffs, and caves.

Quincuncinainfuscata*

Sulptured pigtoe N/A N/AMain channels of rivers and largestreams with moderate current in sandand limestone rock substrate.

Scartomyzon lachneri* Greater jumprock N/A N/ASmall to large streams in swift currentover rocky substrate.

Ichthyomyzon gagei*Southern brooklamprey

N/A N/ACreeks to small rivers with sand orsand and gravel substrate.

Table 16

Protected Species of Possible Occurrence in the Piedmont Provincealong the Chattahoochee River Corridor.




Floral Species

Planthera integrilabia Monkey-face orchid SC TRed maple-blackgum swamps; also onsandy damp stream margins; seepy,rocky, thinly vegetated slopes.

Rhus michauxii Michaux’s sumac E ESandy or rocky open woods, usually onridges with a disturbance history.

Vaccinium hirsutum Hairy blueberry SC N/A Deciduous woods at high elevations.

Amphianthus pusillus Little amphianthus T T

Shallow pools on granite outcrops,where water collects after a rain; poolsare less than 1-foot deep and rockrimmed.

Isoetes melanosporaBlack-sporedguillwort

E E

Shallow pools on granite outcrops,where water collects after a rain; poolsare less than 1-foot deep and rockrimmed.

Cuscuta harperi Harper dodder SC TParasite usually found on rayless-goldenrod; rarely parasitic on herbsfound on granite or sandstone outcrops.

Sarracenia oreophila Green pitcher-plant E E

Open seepy meadows, along sandyflushed banks of streams, and inpartially shaded red maple-blackgumlow woods or poorly drained oak-pineflatwoods.

Aster avitus Alexander rock aster SC N/A Ecotone of granitic outcrops.Eriocaulonkornickianum

Small-head pipewort SC N/AGranite outcrops and upland-sandhill-acid seeps.

Sedum nevii* Nevius’ stonecrop SC TShallow soil over granitic gneiss onsteep bluffs along the ChattahoocheeRiver.

Arabis georgiana* Georgia rock-cress SC TRocky bluffs and slopes alongwatercourses; also along sandy,eroding riverbanks.

Hymenocalliscoronaria*

Shoals spider-lily SC E

Major streams and rivers in rockyshoals and in cracks of exposedbedrock; plants can be completelysubmerged during flooding.

Rhododendronprunifolium

Plumleaf azalea N/A TMoist soils of rich hardwood ravines.

Stewartiamalacodendron

Silky camellia N/A R

Understory of rich wooded bluffs andravine slopes; also on edge of transitionzone between sandhills and creekswamps.

Hydrastis canadensis Golden seal N/A ERich woods and cove forests in themountains.

Schisandra glabra* Bay star-vine N/A TTwining on subcanopy and understorytree/shrubs in rich alluvial woods.

Sedum pusillumGranite rockstonecrop

N/A TGranite outcrops among mosses inpartial shade under red cedar trees.

Veratrum woodiiWood’s falsehellebore

N/A RMoist hardwood-dominated woods,usually in small clumps on terracesalong streams.

Xerophyllumasphodeloides

Eastern turkeybeard N/A RDry oak-hickory forests with a strongpine component due to past fire.

Nestronia umbellula* Indian olive N/A TDry open upland forests of mixedhardwood and pine.

Draba aprica Granite whitlow-grass N/A EShallow soils on granite outcrops,especially beneath eastern red cedar.

Table 16 (continued)



species of possible occurrence within thecorridor. Of these species, three state-listed Threatened species have been field-verified. According to The NatureConservancy’s 1999 Rapid Ecological Assess-ment of the Chattahoochee River (AppendixD) , the Georgia rockcress (Arabisgeorgiana), the bay star-vine (Schisandraglabra), and the Piedmont barren straw-berry (Waldsteinia lobata) were located atsampling stations along the Chatta-hoochee River Corridor.

Land Use ActivitiesLand use in the Piedmont Province ofthe Chattahoochee River Basin generallyis dominated by forested area. Urban de-velopment and agriculture also representa significant proportion of the land usein this portion of the ChattahoocheeRiver Basin. Table 17 provides a statisti-cal summary of land use in the PiedmontProvince as a whole.

Figure 60 translates the data from Table17 into a graphical form. When viewingthe distribution of land use in this fig-ure, several patterns become apparent.First, the gray areas representing urbanland use, the second greatest land use in

the Piedmont, are almost entirely concen-trated in the Atlanta metropolitan area,although a smaller concentration of ur-ban land use also occurs in the Colum-bus area. Second, the yellow areas thatrepresent agricultural land use, the thirdgreatest land use in the Piedmont, areconcentrated along the headwaters of theChattahoochee River upstream of LakeLanier, though other pockets of agricul-ture are located west of the City of At-lanta and east of West Point Lake.

The land use patterns characterized inFigure 60 imply that land use categoriesvary in concentration and distributionbased on their location along the Chatta-hoochee River within certain subregionsof the Piedmont Province. These sub-regions are identified as upstream fromthe Atlanta Region, the Atlanta Re-gion, and downstream from the At-lanta Region.

Land Use Area(mi2)

Percentage ofTotal

Urban 949.895 25.2Agricultural 516.413 13.7Forest 2,134.495 56.6Water 168.047 4.5Source: Frick, Elizabeth A. and Gary R. Buell. “Relation of LandUse to Nutrient and Suspended-Sediment Concentrations,Loads, and Yields in the Upper Chattahoochee River Basin,Georgia, 1993-1998.” Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia WaterResources Conference. Held March 30 and 31, 1999, at TheUniversity of Georgia. ed. Kathryn J. Hatcher. Athens, Georgia:1999.



Floral Species (continued)

Waldsteinia lobataPiedmont barrenstrawberry

N/A T

Rocky acedic woods along streamswith mountain laurel.

Melanthium latifolium*Broadleafbunchflower

N/A N/A Mesic deciduous hardwood forests.

Melanthium woodii* Ozark bunchflower N/A N/AMesic deciduous hardwood forestsover basic soils.

Trepocarpus aethusae* Trepocarpus N/A N/A Floodplain forests.

Iris brevicaulis* Lamance iris N/A N/ABogs, seeps, marshy shores andfloodplains; often hidden in tallervegetation due to its low stature.

E = EndangeredT = ThreatenedSC = Species of ConcernR = RareN/A = Not ApplicableSpecies with an asterisk (*) following their name are designated Rare by the Georgia Natural Heritage Program.

Table 17

Land Use in the Piedmont Province

of the Chattahoochee River Basin.




Upstream from the Atlanta RegionTravelling downstream along the Chat-tahoochee River from its headwaters, atransition in land use occurs. From thecontinuous forests of the northern BlueRidge Province, the concentration of ag-ricultural land use along the southernfringe of the Blue Ridge begins to in-crease as the Chattahoochee River entersthe Piedmont Province. The highest den-sity of these agricultural areas occurs alongthe Chattahoochee River, as evidenced inFigure 60.

The information in Table 18 reinforcesthe concentration of agricultural land usealong the Chattahoochee River illustratedby Figure 60. The agricultural areasfound in this section of the PiedmontProvince primarily are dedicated to poul-try production and livestock grazing(Frick et al., 1998). As discussed in theEnvironmental Issues of the Blue Ridge Prov-ince, agricultural practices typically use largequantities of fertilizer and pesticide.These practices can contribute large quan-tities of nonpoint source pollution to

streams in the area, in addition to encour-aging sedimentation of aquatic environ-ments. The high percentage of agricul-tural land use in the headwaters of theChattahoochee River (Table 18), and theconcentration of this agriculture alongthe Chattahoochee River (Figure 60), pro-

duce a high potential for nonpoint sourcepollution of the Chattahoochee Riverupstream from the Atlanta Region.

The Atlanta RegionUrban development represents the primaryland use in the Atlanta Region. The domi-nance of urban land use in this area isclearly illustrated on Figure 60, with a largesolid area of gray (urban) land covering themajority of the Atlanta Region. The cur-rent statistical land use values for the At-lanta Region are provided in Table 19.

The future potential for urban growth inthe Atlanta Region may be viewedthrough its history of population change.Table 20 provides the historical popula-tion growth for each of the 10 countiesthat comprise the Atlanta Region. How-ever, of the 10 counties, only Cobb,DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, and GwinnettCounties are located within the Chatta-hoochee River Basin. Population inGwinnett County demonstrated one ofthe highest growth rates in the nation be-tween 1970 and 1990. During this sametime period, Cobb and Douglas Coun-ties also experienced growth that wasabove the average for the Atlanta Region.These counties are located to the northand northwest of the City of Atlanta.

As discussed in the Environmental Issuesof the Blue Ridge Province, rising popula-

Figure 60

Land Use in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin and Provinces.

Table 18

Land Use in the Piedmont Province of the Chattahoochee River BasinUpstream from the Atlanta Region

Table 19

Land Use in the Atlanta Region


tions increase urban land use. Figure 61illustrates this relationship. Populationgrowth and urban land use in the Atlantametropolitan area is not only increasing,but it is also growing into the headwa-ters of the Chattahoochee River. Withurban land use comes an increase in theamount of impervious surface area anda corresponding increase in the potentialfor nonpoint source pollution. Thetrend within the Atlanta Region of in-creasing urban land use is important notonly because of the higher potential fornonpoint source pollution, but also be-cause this increased urban land use wouldamplify the adverse effects caused by ag-riculture in the headwaters area.

Downstream from the AtlantaRegionDownstream from the Atlanta Region,urban development becomes the secondmost common land use, with forestedarea returning as the dominant land cover.Table 21 provides a statistical summaryof these uses.

The values provided in Table 21 representaverage land uses for the ChattahoocheeRiver Basin between the Atlanta Regionand West Point Lake. They approximatethe general land-use values for the Pied-

Population1970 1980 1990 1999

County inAtlantaRegion

Population %Increase Population %

Increase Population %Increase Population %

Increase

Cherokee 31,059 -- 51,699 + 66.5 91,000 + 76.0 135,400 + 48.7Clayton 98,126 -- 150,357 + 53.2 184,100 + 22.4 218,600 + 18.7Cobb 196,793 -- 297,718 + 51.3 453,400 + 52.3 567,800 + 25.2DeKalb 415,387 -- 483,024 + 16.3 553,800 + 14.7 610,000 + 10.1Douglas 28,659 -- 54,573 + 90.4 71,700 + 31.4 93,500 + 30.4Fayette 11,364 -- 29,043 + 55.6 62,800 + 116.2 90,900 + 44.7Fulton 605,210 -- 589,904 - 2.6 670,800 + 13.7 786,100 + 17.2Gwinnett 72,349 -- 166,808 + 130.6 356,500 + 113.7 523,900 + 46.9Henry 23,724 -- 36,309 + 53.0 59,200 + 63.0 110,700 + 87.0Rockdale 18,152 -- 36,747 + 102.4 54,500 + 48.3 68,000 + 24.8AtlantaRegion

1,500,823 -- 1,896,182 + 26.3 2,557,800 + 34.9 3,204,900 + 25.3

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission.(http://www.atlanta-info.com/regional_data/99TABLES_AND_CHARTS/POP99TB4.HTML). Accessed March 15,2000.

Figure 61

Land Use Patterns in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Table 20

Historical Population Growth in the Atlanta Region.


mont Province as a whole. Agriculturalland use increases travelling downstreamtoward West Point Lake with some pock-ets of urban land use. In general, landuse downstream of the Atlanta Regionis not concentrated into any one type;rather, there is a more balanced distribu-tion of land use.

For the Piedmont Province, overall, for-ested land represents the majority of allland uses. Agricultural land use is con-centrated upstream from the Atlanta

metropolitan area. The Atlanta Regionitself is dominated by urban land usewith the vast majority of urban land con-centrated around the ChattahoocheeRiver and moving up into its headwaters.Downstream of Atlanta, pockets of con-centrated agricultural and urban land useare present, though overall land use inthis area is more balanced.

Land Use Area(mi2)

Percentage ofTotal

Urban 690.695 28.0Agricultural 320.515 13.0Forest 1,356.735 55.0Water 97.555 4.0Source: Frick, Elizabeth A. and Gary R. Buell. “Relation of LandUse to Nutrient and Suspended-Sediment Concentrations,Loads, and Yields in the Upper Chattahoochee River Basin,Georgia, 1993-1998.” Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia WaterResources Conference. Held March 30 and 31, 1999, at TheUniversity of Georgia. ed. Kathryn J. Hatcher. Athens, Georgia:1999.

County HistoricPlace

HistoricDistrict

HistoricBuilding

TotalResources

Cobb Johnston’s LineSope Creek Ruins 2

Coweta Roscoe-DunawayGardens HistoricDistrict

1

Douglas Sweet WaterManufacturing Site

1

FultonRoswell HistoricDistrict

Barrington HallBulloch HallThe Gwinnett Superb

4

Hall Flowery BranchCommercialHistoric District

1

Heard Heard County Jail 1

TroupNutwood north of BigSprings RoadWest Point Public School

Broad StreetHistoric District

Hawkes Children’s Library ofWest Point 4

Total 14Source: National Register Information System (http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrishome.htm), February 17, 2000.

Historic ResourcesThere are 14 historic resources listed onthe National Register of Historic Placesalong the Chattahoochee River Corridorin the Piedmont Province, as shown inTable 22. Because these resources arelisted on the National Register of His-toric Places, any federally-funded or fed-erally-permitted activities that affect theseresources trigger the requirements forconsideration described in Section 106 ofthe National Historic Preservation Act of1966 (please refer to Appendix B: Environ-mental Regulations for further informationon this legislation).

RecreationIn the Piedmont Province, there are over120 parks, campgrounds, marinas, andother recreational facilities located alongthe Chattahoochee River, its reservoirs,and tributaries. These public areas repre-sent a mix of federal, state, county, city,and privately-operated facilities. They arecentered around the Chattahoochee Riverand offer a variety of activities, including

Table 21

Land Use Downstream from the Atlanta Region.

Table 22

Historic Resources within the Piedmont Province Portionof the Chattahoochee River Corridor.


hiking, fishing, boating, canoeing, rafting,camping, and a variety of sport activities.Table 23 provides a summary of the pub-lic recreational resources available alongthe Chattahoochee River in the PiedmontProvince.

Chattahoochee River NationalRecreation AreaEstablished in 1978, the ChattahoocheeRiver National Recreation Area (CRNRA)is comprised of 19 separate land units lo-cated along a 48-mile stretch of the Chat-tahoochee River. Annual visitation at theCRNRA is over 2.9 million people (Na-tional Park Service website, 2000). TheCRNRA begins south of Lake Lanier onthe Forsyth/Gwinnett County Line andfollows the Chattahoochee River throughFulton and Cobb Counties, ending lessthan a half mile southeast of the I-75/I-285 Interchange. The main park unitsthat comprise the CRNRA along its en-tirety are:

� Bowmans Island

� McGinnis Ferry

� Suwanee Creek

� Abbotts Bridge

� Medlock Bridge

� Jones Bridge

� Holcomb Bridge

� Island Ford

� Vickery Creek

� Gold Branch

� Johnson Ferry

� Cochran Shoals

� Palisades

� Settles Bridge

While the activities at these park unitsvary, the general activities of the CRNRA

National Parks

Name Acreage/Length Activities

ChattahoocheeRiver NationalRecreation Area

48 milesFishing, picnicking, jogging, hiking, birdwatching, photography, rafting, canoeing,boating, and various other water activities.

ACOE Day Use Parks – Lake LanierName ActivitiesPowerhouseLower Overlook Picnicking, restroom facilities.Upper Overlook Picnicking, restroom facilities.Buford Dam Park Picnicking, restroom facilities, swimming.Shoal Creek Boating.Big Creek Boating, restroom facilities.Burton Mill Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroom

facilities.Van Pugh North Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroom

facilities.Van Pugh South Day camp, picnicking, boating, restroom

facilities.Old Federal Boating, swimming, restroom facilities.Balus Creek Boating, restroom facilities.Mountain View Boating, restroom facilities.Belton Bridge Boating.Lula Boating.Little River Boating, restroom facilities.Thompson Bridge Boating.Sardis Creek Boating, restroom facilities.Simpson Boating.Robinson Boating, restroom facilities.Duckett Mill Boating.Little Hall Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroom

facilities.Bolding Mill Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroom

facilities.Toto Creek Boating, swimming, restroom facilities.Nix Bridge Boating, restroom facilities.Thompson Bridge Picnicking, boating, restroom facilities.War Hill Boating, swimming, restroom facilities.Keith’s Bridge Boating, swimming, restroom facilities.Long Hollow Boating, swimming, restroom facilities.Vann’s Tavern Boating, restroom facilities.Bethel Boating, restroom facilities.Two Mile Boating, restroom facilities.Six Mile Boating.Charleston Boating, restroom facilities.

Young Deer Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroomfacilities.

Tidwell Boating, restroom facilities.

Mary Alice Picnicking, boating, swimming, restroomfacilities.

Little Ridge Boating.West Bank Picnicking, swimming, restroom facilities.Lower Pool Boating, restroom facilities.East Bank Boating.

Table 23

Public Recreational Resources within the Piedmont Province

of the Chattahoochee River Study Corridor.


include horseback riding, boating, canoe-ing, hiking, picnicking, and rafting. Thisnational recreation area represents one ofthe major recreational resources locatedalong the Chattahoochee River.

Lake LanierApproximately 225,000 people first vis-ited Lake Lanier before it officially openedto the public in 1957 (ACOE website,2000). Currently, Lake Lanier ranks as themost popular ACOE lake among allCorps lakes in the nation (Stevens, 1993).With an estimated 3,519,700 total visitorsin 1995, Lake Lanier also accounts forapproximately half of the total recre-ational visitation of all reservoirs on theChattahoochee River (ACOE: MobileDivision, 1998). Activities at the morethan 48 federal, county, and city parks onthe lake include a diverse array of water-related activities, in addition to hiking,picnicking, camping, and multiple sportactivities. Summer is ranked as the mostpopular recreation season at this reservoir.

West Point LakeIn 1995, West Point Lake received 916,800visitors for recreation (ACOE: MobileDistrict, 1998), making it the third mostpopular reservoir for recreational activitieson the Chattahoochee River. Currently,there are over 26 federal parks operatedby the ACOE on the lake. Spring is themost popular season for recreational ac-tivities at West Point Lake.

County, City, and PrivatelyOwned Public ParksA multitude of county, city, and privatelyowned public parks provide a wealth ofadditional recreation opportunities alongthe Chattahoochee River. These facilitiesare located from the northern counties ofthe Piedmont Province to the Fall Line Dis-trict in Columbus-Muscogee County. Thegreatest concentration of public parklands,however, is located in the Atlanta Metro-politan Area.

Nature CentersThe Chattahoochee Nature Center is lo-cated less than 3 miles west of State Route400 in the City of Roswell, Georgia, on thewest banks of the Chattahoochee River im-mediately upstream of Bull Sluice Lake.

ACOE Campgrounds – Lake LanierName Facilities

Shoal CreekCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,picnic shelter, boat ramp, swim area.

Chestnut RidgeCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

Old FederalCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,picnic shelter, boat ramp, swim area.

Ducket MillCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

Bolding MillCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

Toto CreekCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

War Hill Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter,boat ramp, swim area.

Shady Grove Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter,boat ramp, swim area.

Bald RidgeCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

SuwaneeCampsites with hookups, showers, dumpstation, laundry, restrooms, picnic tables,boat ramp, swim area.

Commercial Marinas – Lake Sidney LanierName Contact NumberLanier Harbor (770) 945-2884Holiday (770) 945-7201Lazy Days (770) 945-1991Starboard (770) 937-6231Aqualand (770) 967-6811Sunrise (770) 536-8599Gainesville (770) 536-2171Lan Mar (770) 887-5715Bald Ridge (770) 887-5309Habersham (770) 887-3107

ACOE Day Use Parks and Recreation Areas – West Point LakeName ActivitiesEagle View Park Picnicking, restroom facilities.Hardy Creek Park Picnicking, fishing, reservation shelter,

playground, tennis, basketball, softball,restroom facilities.

West Overlook Overlook shelter.Anderson Park Picnicking, boating, playground, restroom

facilities.Alligator Park Picnicking, boating, hiking, restroom

facilities.Rocky Point Reservation Area Fishing, boating, beach, picnicking,

reservation shelter, playground, tennis,basketball, softball, hiking.



The Chattahoochee Nature Center is oneof the main privately owned public edu-cational centers along the ChattahoocheeRiver, with more than 50,000 studentvisitors each year (Chattahoochee NatureCenter website, 2000). This nature centerincludes several wildlife ponds, a wetlandsboardwalk, hiking trails, picnic area, amphi-theater, bald eagle aviary, gardens, severaleducational buildings, and restroom facili-ties. The Chattahoochee Nature Centerwildlife clinic also plays a major role in wildanimal rehabilitation, accepting over 700raptors, reptiles, and amphibians eachyear (Chattahoochee Nature Centerwebsite, 2000). The Chattahoochee NatureCenter uses the Chattahoochee River in acentral role to help educate the public aboutits natural heritage.

As illustrated in Table 23, the recreationaland educational opportunities providedby the Chattahoochee River in the Pied-mont Province are many and varied.Although the population of theApalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF)River Basin was estimated at 2.6 millionpeople in 1990, with 90 percent of thesepeople living along the ChattahoocheeRiver located within Georgia (Couch,Hopkins, and Hardy, 1998), less than 3percent of the ACF River Basin, of whichthe Chattahoochee River Basin is the larg-est area, is managed as federal or stateparks or forests (Couch, 1993).

Many people take advantage of the recre-ational opportunities provided along theChattahoochee River, as evidenced by thevisitation figures presented above for sev-eral of the larger facilities. Despite the lowpercentage of public parkland, the com-bined visitation to these parks exceedsthe population of the entire ACF RiverBasin by almost 5 million. This illustratesthe value of the Chattahoochee River forrecreation.

Environmental Issues inthe Piedmont ProvinceLand-use patterns in the PiedmontProvince have an important effect onthe concentrations and types of pollut-ants entering the Chattahoochee River inthis area. In fact, some sources indicate

ACOE Day Use Parks and Recreation Areas – West Point LakeName ActivitiesVeasey Creek Park Boating, picnicking, reservation shelter,

restroom facilities.Dewberry Park Boating, restroom facilities.Evansville Park Picnicking, boating, restroom facilities.Wehadkee Park Boating, restroom facilities.Horace King Park Picnicking, boating, restroom facilities.Whitewater Park Boating, restroom facilities.Autry Day Use Park Boating.Liberty Hill Boating, restroom facilities.Snake Creek Park Picnicking, boating, restroom facilities.Pinger Park Boating, picnicking, playground, hiking,

restroom facilities.Georgia Park Boating, restroom facilities.Yellowjacket Creek RecreationArea

Beach, boating, picnicking, reservationshelter, playground, tennis, basketball,softball, restroom facilities.

Sunny Point Park Picnicking, boating, restroom facilities.Clark Day Use Park Boating, picnicking, restroom facilities.Halfmoon Creek Park Picnicking, restroom facilities.McGee Bridge Park Fishing, boating, picnicking, restroom

facilities.Glass Bridge Park Boating, picnicking, restroom facilities.Earl Cook Recreation Area Beach, boating, picnicking, reservation

shelter, playground, softball, tennis,basketball, restroom facilities.

Long Cane Park Boating, picnicking, overlook shelter,hiking, restroom facilities.

R. Shaefer Heard Day Use Park Picnicking, boating, playground, hiking,basketball, tennis, softball, restroomfacilities.

Pinger Park Boating, picnicking, playground, hiking,restroom facilities.

ACOE Campgrounds – West Point LakeName Fee Status FacilitiesAmity Campground fee required Electric/water hookups,

primitive campsites, boatramp, shower house,drinking water,playground, sports fields,hiking trail, amphitheatre.

Stateline Campground fee required Electric/water hookups,primitive campsites, boatramp, beach, showerhouse, drinking water,playground, sports fields,hiking trail.

Holiday Campground fee required Electric/water hookups,primitive campsites, groupcamping, boat ramp,shower house, drinkingwater, playground, sportsfields, hiking trail,amphitheatre.

Whitetail Ridge Campground fee required Electric/water hookups,boat ramp, shower house,drinking water, hiking trail.



a direct link between land use and theconcentration and type of pollutantscontributed to the stream environment(Frick and Buell, 1999). Therefore, tobest understand the environmental is-sues of the Piedmont Province, it is im-portant to examine its land-use patterns.However, as discussed previously in LandUse Activities, land development patternsin the Piedmont Province along theChattahoochee River Corridor vary bysub-region. To describe the environmen-tal issues of the Piedmont Province, thefollowing discussion revisits the three land-use regions identified in Upstream from theAtlanta Region, The Atlanta Region, andDownstream from the Atlanta Region. Ingeneral, agricultural and poultry industryimpacts are a significant source of pollut-ants (e.g., nutrients and fecal coliforms) andsedimentation above Lake Lanier. The pri-mary impacts to the Chattahoochee Riverin the Atlanta metropolitan area generallyare due to a combination of urban run-off components (e.g., lawn maintenancechemicals, oil, and grease), sedimentationfrom construction sites, and point sourcedischarges.

The Chattahoochee RiverUpstream from the Atlanta RegionUpstream from the Atlanta metropolitanarea, agricultural land use is over 24 per-cent greater than in the Piedmont Prov-ince as a whole (please refer to Tables 17and 18 in Land Use Activities). The con-centration of agricultural land use alongthe Chattahoochee River in this upstreamarea is important because of the effect ithas on the environment of the Chatta-hoochee River downstream.

Nonpoint Source Pollution fromFertilizersAs discussed in the Overview, agriculturalland use has three main adverse effectson the stream environment: nonpointsource pollution from the nutrients infertilizer, nonpoint source pollutionthrough pesticides, and sedimentation.Table 24 provides a summary of nitrogenand phosphorus sources in the Chatta-hoochee River. Nitrogen and phosphorusare two of the main nutrients found inboth organic and artificial fertilizers. In the

ACOE Campgrounds – West Point LakeName Fee Status FacilitiesIndian Springs Group CampingArea

fee required Primitive campsites, groupcamping, drinking water

Ringer Campground and DayUse Park

no fee Primitive campsites, boatramp, drinking water,playground, hiking trail.

R. Shaefer Heard Campground fee required Electric/water hookups,boat ramp, shower house,drinking water,playground, sports fields,amphitheatre.

Commercial Marinas – West Point LakeName FacilitiesWest Point Landing Boat ramp, fuel dock, slip rental, boat

rental, store, restaurant, campground,showerhouse, pool, hotel/cabin rental,playground, sanitary station.

Highland Marina Boat ramp, boat repair, fuel dock, sliprental, boat rental, store, restaurant,campground, showerhouse, hotel/cabinrental, playground, sanitary station.

State ParksName Fee Status ActivitiesLake Lanier State Park no fee Hunting, fishing, hiking,

bird viewing.Sweetwater Creek State Park fee required Fishing, hiking, boating,

picnicking, playgrounds,educational programs.

County Parks (North to South)County Name Activities

Laurel Park Baseball, softball, concession stand,playground, tennis, hiking, picnicking,picnic shelters, boating, archery, soccer,restroom facilities.

Hall RiverforksPark

Picnicking, picnic shelters, handicap-accessible picnic sites, boating,swimming, beach, playgrounds, camping,RV camping facilities, volleyball,horseshoe pits, resident manager’shouse, restroom facilities.

Forsyth noneGwinnett Jones Bridge

ParkPicnicking, social/community meetings,fishing, boating.



County Parks (North to South)County Name Activities

ChattahoocheeRiver Park(operated byCity ofRoswell)

Hiking, picnicking, playground, communitymeetings.

Morgan Falls Baseball, golf, playground, football,cheerleading.

Morgan Falls Planned – hiking, picnicking, canoeing.Old RiversideDrive

Planned – hiking, picnicking, canoeing,community meetings.

Shakerag Park Planned – hiking, picnicking, softball,soccer.

Fulton

Island Ferry Undeveloped.Cobb noneDouglas noneCarroll McIntosh

ReserveHiking, bicycling, camping, canoe take-outfacilities.

Coweta noneBrush CreekPark

Ball fields, campsites.

Heard CountyRiverway

Multiuse trailway, fishing access,canoe/kayak trail, camping facilities, andagricultural center.

Riverside Park Picnicking, hiking, ball fields.

Heard

Torch BarerPark

Ceremonies and celebrations.

Pyne RoadPark

Boat ramp, picnicking, camping, ball field,restroom facilities with shower.Troup

CrossroadsPark

Boat ramp.

Harris none

City ParksCounty Name ActivitiesAtlanta Chattahoochee

RiverwayMultiuse trailway, open fields, cultural andenvironmental learning facilities, andhabitat revitalization.

Lanier PointPark

Softball, boating, picnicking.

GainesvillePark

Inactive.

Holly Park Boating, picnicking.LongwoodPark

Tennis, hiking, picnicking, playground,fishing.

Gainesville(Hall County)

ClarksbridgePark

Clarkesville(HabershamCounty)

Pitts Park Hiking, picnicking, festivals, restroomfacilities.

Roswell(FultonCounty)

ChattahoocheeRiver Park

Hiking, picnicking, playground, communitymeetings.

Roswell(FultonCounty)

RoswellRiverwalk(proposed)

Canoe, kayak and open boat facility;fishing piers, picnic facilities, rowingcenter, open fields, restroom facilities, andmultiuse trailway.

Chattahoochee River, both of these nu-trients become pollutants through a pro-cess called eutrophication, as described inthe Overview.

Several wastewater treatment plants(point sources) are located along the Chat-tahoochee River upstream of Atlanta tohelp treat the waste from the residents ofthe area. It is important to note fromthe data in Table 24 that only between 5to 14 percent of the total nitrogen andphosphorus released into the Chatta-hoochee River from fertilizer is attributedto point sources in this area. It equally isimportant to note that a significantamount of the total nitrogen and phos-phorus contributed to the ChattahoocheeRiver from animal manure originatesfrom this area (Frick et al, 1996). Further,as discussed in Land Use Activities, agri-cultural areas applying high quantities offertilizer are concentrated along the banksof the Chattahoochee River. A consid-erable percentage of the nitrogren andphosphorus deposited in the Chatta-hoochee River by nonpoint source pol-lution is attributable to this portion ofthe Piedmont Province.

To better understand the nonpointsource pollution in this area, it is usefulto refer back to Figure 53, located in En-vironmental Issues of the Blue Ridge Province.The portion of the Chattahoochee RiverBasin upstream of the Atlanta Region isidentified as having one of the highestnatural rates of runoff in the entire Pied-mont Province of the ChattahoocheeRiver Basin. These high runoff rates oc-cur in a geographic area where farmers areapplying, on the surface, fertilizers withhigh concentrations of potential pollutants.Here, agricultural practices combine withgeography that is naturally inclined to en-courage surface runoff. The net result is ahigh potential for significant nonpointsource pollution of the ChattahoocheeRiver from this region.

Nonpoint Source Pollution fromPesticidesIn terms of nonpoint source pollution frompesticides, the portion of the ChattahoocheeRiver Basin upstream from Lake Lanier ranksrelatively low in comparison to the Atlanta



Region. Upstream from Lake Lanier, lessthan 0.02 micrograms/liter (m/L) ofpesticides were detected along the Chat-tahoochee River Corridor, which is ap-proximately 0.23 m/L less than the con-centrations detected in the Atlanta Region(Frick, et al., 1998). Primarily, the pesti-cides used upstream from Lake Lanier areselective pre-emergence herbicides usedfor weed control. This relatively low con-tribution primarily results from the gen-eral lack of pesticide use in poultry farm-ing (Frick, et al., 1998).

SedimentationAs mentioned in the Overview, sedimenta-tion of stream environments is encouragedby agricultural practices. Table 25 providesa summary of the sediment contributionto the Chattahoochee River from the por-tion of the basin located upstream ofLake Lanier.

The data in Table 25 indicates that thesediment contributed to the Chatta-hoochee River north of the Atlanta met-ropolitan area is proportionally over halfof the total sediment deposited in theChattahoochee River Basin. This dataalso demonstrates the relative contribu-tion of sediment to the ChattahoocheeRiver by the three main land-use sub-re-gions discussed. It is important to note,however, that the high volume of sedi-ment deposited upstream of Lake Lanierwould settle out in the lake, as flows areregulated by Buford Dam. The high vol-ume of sediment deposition upstreamof Lake Lanier, however, would have ad-verse effects on the river in this area.

The Overview discusses some of the waysin which agricultural activity encourageselevated levels of stream bank erosionand sedimentation. Livestock activity, in-cluding silviculture, as well as surface dis-turbance from development along thebanks of the Chattahoochee River, havebeen specifically identified as the primaryfactors related to the high level of sedi-mentation in this portion of the basin(Frick and Buell, 1999).

Because of its significant adverse effectson the biological cycle, sedimentation isharmful not only to the river’s natural en-

Table 25Sediment Contribution from the Chattahoochee River Basin

Upstream from the Atlanta Region.

Table 24

Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution for the Piedmont Province

Upstream from the Atlanta Region, 1990.


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