Overview of rivers in Georgia

Rivers of Georgia: Overview of Georgia whitewater, Georgia paddling, Georgia canoeing, Georgia kayaking, Georgia rafting, Georgia fly-fishing, Georgia river conservation, Georgia river law, and Georgia river access.

(In this space we will post an overview of rivers and river recreation in Georgia as soon as possible. In the meantime, note that the rivers of Georgia are described in books and videos available from the NORS Resource Center.)

(If you would like to post an overview of the rivers in Georgia, please post it to the River Rendezvous, State River News, Georgia News and Opinions section, or e-mail it to us at nors@rmi.net, and we will insert it here.)

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The following news is assembled from postings from various sources, as a public service. The sponsors of this website do not assume responsibility for accuracy. Always double-check information before relying on it, especially when your safety is involved!

STATEWIDE ISSUES:

SPECIFIC RIVERS: Click to jump down to descriptions and news about:

Armuchee Creek

Chattahoochee River

Court rules against public access to creek

A March 10, 1997, ruling barred the public from canoeing down the Armuchee Creek, citing private ownership of the streambed as sufficient reason to allow the creek's adjacent landowner to restrict public access to the waterway, according to the account below. This injunction against the Georgia Canoeing Association is representative of cases where lower courts have ruled against the federally protected right of the public to have free access to navigable waterways.

Finding that the public has not acquired a right of passage on Armuchee Creek, the Georgia Supreme Court has affirmed a Chatooga Superior Court injunction barring the Georgia Canoeing Association from traveling on the creek where it passes through appellee Ralph Henry's property. (Georgia Canoeing Association et al. v. Henry, No. S96A1594.)

Justice Leah J. Sears, writing for a unanimous Supreme Court, found that the creek is not a navigable stream under federal, Georgia or common law and that the public has not acquired a right of passage by prescription. The canoeing association brought suit when Henry took steps to prevent canoeing on the creek. Henry responded with a request that the appellants be enjoined from traveling in boats and canoes through his property.

The trial court granted Henry an interlocutory injunction. When it granted summary judgment on his request for a permanent injunction, the Supreme Court reversed. On remand, the trial court held a hearing and entered a detailed order granting Henry's request. Because the creek can be classified as nonnavigable and because Henry owns land on both sides of the creek, the trial court found that he owns the entire streambed and has the right to exclude passage over the water which flows over it.

Desperately seeking support for river

NGTO, a conservation/fishing club in Atlanta, Ga., is currently considering its options in the fight against the devastation taking place in and around the Chattahoochee river, writes J. Jones of Temple, Ga. "We are a small but dedicated group of anglers and boaters that are in desperate need of 'bigger muscle' to save this beautiful river. Hot water runoff from housing developments and parking lots, and a lack of awareness by the general public is killing our trout river. We need your support desperately. We are not necessarily asking for money. We just need others to stand with us and say that it is not acceptable to kill our river. Anything you could do to help us would be greatly appreciated."

NORS responded with the following answer: "Thanks for alerting us. Our suggestion is that you prepare a nice folder, printed with money from an area outdoor business or other willing donor, titled something like, 'Why the Chattahoochee River Must Be Conserved.'

In it, you explain that the river is 'held in trust for the public' by the state, for "navigation, recreation, and fisheries," pursuant to numerous court decisions collectively known as the Public Trust Doctrine.

You explain that the public values of this river are being ruined in the ways you describe. You explain that local landowners, with or without government assistance, are responsible for holding their polluted parking lot runoff waters in holding ponds on their premises, then gradually releasing the water into the river and its tributaries after most of the contaminants have settled out.

You explain that other factors causing damage to the river must also be minimized by the people who generate them.

You distribute this folder for free to local community leaders, the media, and the interested publics.

You then follow up and keep after community leaders and polluters until the damages are minimized.

Note that you (and other people you recruit to help) can earn points good for river gear by sending copies of your work to the River Conservation Team. You can also get further legal information in the river law section of our website.

J. Jones can be reached at ngtrout@mindspring.com.

(This calendar is assembled as a public service, using postings from individuals. The sponsors of this website assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the listings, or the quality of the events. Always double-check information before relying on it.)

Races and Competitions:

River Rodeos/Freestyle:

River Cleanups:

River Festivals and Rendezvous.

Conventions, meetings, and classes:

Other events:

(To post an announcement of a Georgia river event you are organizing, click to go to: River Rendezvous--State River News--Georgia River Events. The webmaster will subsequently integrate your information into the announcements above.)