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Home , Augusta Canal, Etowah River, Flint River (Georgia), Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Oconee

SectionSection33 SSectionection PPreviewreview As you read, look for: ’s Waterways • the importance of the and coastal waterways, major rivers of Georgia’s waterways provided transportation and food for early Indian tribes. Georgia, and When European settlers arrived, they set up trading posts and established • vocabulary terms: Atlantic temporary and permanent settlement sites on river bluffs (steep riverbanks). , Today, the Atlantic Ocean and inland rivers, lakes, and streams are used for semidiurnal tide, tide, saltwater recreation, to make electricity, as inexpensive transportation resources for marshes, freshwater sloughs, ships and barges, as ports for trade and commerce, as a food source (fishing), estuaries, watershed, reservoir, and, of course, as attractions for Georgia’s tourism industry. and aquifer. The Atlantic Ocean Georgia has more than one hundred miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, beginning at the and going to the St. Marys River. Savannah and Brunswick are the state’s two deepwater ports. Some parts of the coastline serve as wildlife refuges and others as commercial fishing and shrimping centers. There are harbors for the coming and going of luxury cruise ships and trading ships as well as miles of recreational beaches that Below: The Atlantic draw tourists from far and near. Intracoastal Waterway is an Georgia’s barrier islands, are located several miles off the Atlantic coastline. important shipping lane for These islands block ocean waves from directly hitting Georgia’s mainland. cargo ships. Between the barrier islands and the mainland is the Atlantic Intracoastal

56 Chapter 2: This Place We Call Home Waterway, a 1,000-mile inland water- Below: The great blue heron Did You Know? way that runs from New York to can be seen throughout Miami, . The waterway gives You may have heard the riddle Georgia, except in the commercial and recreational boating “What has no beginning, end, northeast. Bottom: Jekyll traffic safety from storms, strong cur- or middle and touches every Island’s saltwater marshes rents, and waves of ocean routes. continent?” The answer, of are home to many varieties of Along the coastal area, Georgia has course, is the ocean. plants and fish. semidiurnal tides, or two high tides Consider for a moment the and two low tides each day. A tide is sheer size of oceans. Oceans a rise or fall of the sea level caused by cover approximately two- the gravitational pull of the sun and thirds of Earth’s surface. The the moon. The coastline has six- to oceans’ deepest point is 6.8 nine-foot tides, which are very un- miles down; Mount Everest is ? usual. As an example, , only 5.5 miles high. , has two- to three- foot tides, and Miami, Florida, has one- to two-foot tides. The high tides and the gradual slope of the Coastal Plain allow tidal waters to flow far into the land, creating the most massive area of saltwater marshes on the entire Atlantic coastline. While Georgia’s tides are considered high tides, they are not particularly strong or forceful, so they do not carry into shore the deeper, coarser grains of sand from the ocean. When ocean tides are at their highest, they are referred to as “spring tides” and when they are at their lowest, they are called “neap tides.” Coastal Waterways Between the barrier islands and the mainland is a four- to six-mile band of saltwater marshes cover- ing about a half-million acres. At least one-third of the salt marshes along the Atlantic coastline are in Georgia. The marshes, protected by the government, are home to many kinds of water life. Salt marshes ex- tend well into Georgia’s mainland by following the major rivers and occupying areas. About 95 percent of the vegetation in the salt marshes is cordgrass, but there is also glasswort, saltwort, salt grass, and marsh lavender. Plant life is certainly not the only active life among the saltwater marshes. The rulers of the marshes are the sand fiddlers and mud fiddlers; they are joined by the snails and crabs that thrive in the harsh environment. The marshes are a food source for herons, egrets, ibis, sandpipers, and the endangered

Section 3: Georgia’s Waterways 57 wood storks so popular among coast- al birdwatchers. Focus on the Environment Freshwater sloughs (pronounced “slaws”) are small ponds, freshwater marshes, and . Sloughs also CbCbCbEndangeredEndangered Marshes?Marshes? develop from marsh creeks that lose their tidal flow. Within the maritime forests, a bCbCbC number of freshwater sloughs serve as a source of fresh water for the wildlife of the forests. CbCbCb Estuaries are bodies of water where freshwater rivers and salt water mix. bCbCbC Sounds, marsh creeks, and tidal rivers are ex- amples of estuaries along Georgia’s coastline. These CbCbCb estuaries are nurseries for crabs, shrimp, fish, and shellfish. When these animals are young, they bCbCbCAre Georgia’s 450,000 acres of saltwater marshes in trouble? are known as plankton, tiny micro- In the spring of 2002, scientists along a six-county area of the coastal scopic organisms. They are among marshlands tried to find the reasons behind the sudden appearance of the few creatures that thrive in the CbCbCbover five hundred acres of parched, browning and balding, dying marshes. harsh environment of the estuaries. At this point, there appear to be three possibilities for the frightening The salinity (salt level) of the sea wa- die-off in marsh areas: Georgia’s severe droughts from the late 1990s ter decreases as it moves into the in- and early 2000s, a new form of virus attacking the marshlands, or, pol- terior marshes, creeks, and rivers. The bCbCbClution from manmade problems such as chemical spills. salinity also changes regularly because During the same time period, the state’s blue crab population was of the tides and rainfall. Changes in severely decreasing as were coastal shrimp resources. Are the three salinity are one factor in making the CbCbCbproblems related? No one knows for sure, but if Georgia loses the salt marshlands a difficult environment marshes, it would have a horrendous impact on shellfish and other wild- for plant and marine life. life that depend on the marshlands for home, protection, and food. In The many different elements of addition, the loss of the recreational use of the marshlands would be the coastal area are interdependent. bCbCbCdevastating to local economies and tourism. This situation is an example The sandy beaches and dunes pro- of the “ If ..., then ...” proposition. Why? tect the islands from erosion and Use your research skills to follow-up on the causes and solutions for flooding. The barrier islands protect the marsh die-off. Are there things that you can do to harm or to pro- the salt marshes from storms and CbCbCbtect one of Georgia’s most beautiful resources? ocean currents. The salt marshes are feeding grounds for aquatic life, which are, in turn, food for larger marine life. They provide nurseries and nesting sites for coastal birds. As tides flow in and out of the marshes twice daily, they remove marsh waste and circulate valuable nutrients and organisms.

58 Chapter 2: This Place We Call Home Rivers Map 15 Georgia has twelve principal river systems. The Savannah, Ogeechee, Georgia’s Rivers Altamaha (which combines the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers), and Satilla riv- and Lakes ers flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Western rivers, including the Map Skill: Which river Chattahoochee and Flint, become part of the . In the northern appears to be the longest in part of the state, the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers form the , which this map? flows through into the Gulf. The Alapaha, the Suwannee, and the St. Marys, located in south Georgia, flow across the Georgia-Florida border.

Section 3: Georgia’s Waterways 59 ¢SS$potlight¢$ onon thethe¢ E$conomy¢$ $ Georgia’sGeorgia’s Ports ¢ ¢ $ $ Georgia’s has two major deepwater seaports, Savan- Above: Savannah is one of the most important contain-¢ nah and Brunswick, and two inland barge terminals, erized ports in the . Bainbridge and Columbus. The economic impact of these ports exceeds $1.8 billion in annual income. They account Savannah’s seaport concentrates on containerized cargo for over 81,000 jobs and pay over $585 million in state and and is the fifth largest container port in the nation. The local taxes. Over 90 steamship lines serve Georgia, which Brunswick port concentrates on auto shipping, heavy equip- ¢leads the South Atlantic region in foreign cargo handled. ment, farm machinery, and luxury tour buses. In addition, The key to the economic success of Georgia’s ports is shipping of bulk agricultural products has increased. the transportation infrastructure supporting those ports. A massive amount of imports (goods and supplies The ports of Brunswick and Savannah are located close to shipped into the state) and exports (goods and $supplies two major interstate highways (I-95 and I-16) and to key shipped out of state) flow through Georgia’s seaports and railroad hubs. From Georgia, goods are two truckload days inland barge terminals. In fact, the ship on the reverse side from 82 percent of the U.S. industrial marketplace and 79 of Georgia’s state seal represents the state’s exports. Geor- percent of the nation’s largest consumer markets. Over 100 gia has a history of product exporting. In 1788, it was the motor freight carriers serve the metropolitan areas of Geor- first state to export cotton to Great Britain. The first cattle $gia. The state has 35 scheduled carriers, 2,200 intrastate exported from America left from Savannah’s port. haulers, and 25,000 interstate truckers serving the state. Georgia’s marketplace really is the world, and the state’s In addition, two major railroad lines operate in the state. seaports make that marketplace a viable enterprise. ¢ ¢$60 Chapter¢ 2: This Place$ We Call Home ¢$¢$ Georgia’s major waterways have Above: Visitors to Etowah Did You Know? been important to the social, politi- Mounds State Historic Site cal, and economic growth of the can see original Indian fish Except for the Savannah state. In looking at a map of Georgia’s traps in the . River, no rivers flow into river systems, it is notable that the Georgia from other states. names of more than half show an Indian influence. For example the Coosa River gets its name from the Choctaw.? It means “kusha,” or cane. The Choctaw used cane to make ar- rows, spears, and knives and as a container for fragile pieces of clothing. Altamaha is believed to mean “chief’s lodge.” Other smaller river systems have Indian names, including Apalachee, Towaliga, and Coosawatee. But the American influence can certainly be seen in river names like Rottenwood Creek, Settingdown, Potato Creek, and Mud Creek. These rivers play important roles in recreation, in providing water sources for towns and cities, as sources for seafood, and as a boon to Georgia’s economy through the economic benefits of inland barge terminals in Bainbridge and Columbus. The inland port terminals at Bainbridge and Columbus are located on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee- system. They provide low-cost transportation services primarily for agricultural and industrial commodities to and from the Gulf of Mexico and major markets in the southeastern United States.

Section 3: Georgia’s Waterways 61 The Savannah River By the time Hernando de Soto reached the Savannah River in 1540, Indians had traveled the 314-mile- long waterway for many years. They called it the Isondega, meaning “blue water.” Along the border of , the river spreads into three lakes: J. Strom Thurmond Lake (for- merly called Clark Hill Lake), Lake Russell, and Hartwell Lake. The Sa- vannah is the only river that flows into Georgia from outside its borders. The headwaters of the Savannah River are in South Carolina.

Top: The Savannah River, The seen here at Augusta, forms The name of the Chattahoochee comes from the Cherokee and means the border between Georgia the “river of the painted rock.” It was so named because of the colorful stones and South Carolina. Above: that lay across the riverbed. The river itself flows 436 miles from the moun- The headwaters of the tains of to the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the southern section Chattahoochee River, seen forms the natural border between Georgia and Alabama. The chief cities along here at Helen, are near its banks include Gainesville, , and Columbus. Major manmade lakes, Brasstown Bald including , , and the Walter F. George Reservoir, are part of the Chattahoochee’s winding path. In addition to supplying water

62 Chapter 2: This Place We Call Home to Atlanta and Columbus, the river is a water source for Helen, Buford, LaGrange, and West Point.

The Flint River The Flint River is one of Georgia’s most picturesque and vital rivers. It runs parallel to the Chattahoochee from College Park, near Atlanta, until it empties into at Bainbridge. Like all river basins, the Flint River basin is a watershed, an area that catches rain and snow, which then drains into marshes, streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwa- ter. The Flint covers 8,460 square miles of Georgia’s and Coastal Plain regions. Interestingly enough, Top: The mighty Altamaha the river meanders (curves) so much that a boater can travel 350 miles River carries much silt although the river is actually only 212 miles long. downriver and, at Darien, has formed islands and a delta. The Above: The Flint River flows The Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers meet near Hazlehurst and Lumber City. gently over boulders at They then flow into one of Georgia’s most powerful rivers, the Altamaha. Sprewell Bluff State Park. This muddy river is rich in fish and fertile swamps. It empties into the Atlan- tic Ocean near the coastal city of Darien.

Section 3: Georgia’s Waterways 63 Lake Chatuge was created in 1941 by the TVA.

Paleozoic Rock Aquifer Georgia’s Major Lakes Crystalline Rock Aquifer Although Georgia does not have any large natural lakes, the Cretaceous Aquifer Systems Claiborne, Clayton & state is fortunate to have excellent lakes created by the U.S. Corps Providence Aquifers Floridan Aquifer System of Engineers and the Company. There is also a network of lakes formed from Georgia’s massive river systems. Whether manmade or natural, the state’s lake system provides recreational areas, reservoirs, and hydroelectric power. Allatoona, Carter Lake, Lake Lanier, Walter George, West Point, and Seminole all generate hydroelectric power, which provides us with the electricity we use in our homes. In later chapters, you will also read about the nuclear power plants that provide elec- tricity for the state. In addition, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Hartwell Lake, Oconee Lake, and others offer enjoyable fishing, camping, boating, and recreational shorelines.

Map 16 Water — Not An Endless Resource Georgia’s Major In the last chapter, you looked at the damaging effects a drought can have Aquifers on our state. You also examined the importance of all forms of precipitation in providing water for our state. However, Georgia has water concerns even Map Skill: What aquifer when there is no drought. underlies most of the Coastal Much of the northern section of the state (the Appalachian Mountains Plain? regions of the Appalachian Plateau and the Ridge and Valley region, the Blue Ridge region, and the Piedmont Plateau) does not have groundwater because

64 Chapter 2: This Place We Call Home of the bedrock so close beneath the soil surface and because of the steep slopes of the mountainous areas. When this section receives precipitation, most of IIt’s YYour TTurn the water runs off and into the rivers of the area. Those rivers flow south- 1. What might happen if ward, carrying the water away from north Georgia and into the central and Georgia’s barrier islands southern areas of the state and other states. were all washed away? Since the northern half of our state relies on surface water to meet its water 2. What are estuaries? How needs, a number of major reservoirs, or holding tanks, have been constructed do they protect Georgia’s in that section of Georgia. However, most of Georgia’s population and much ecological balance? of the state’s rapid growth have taken place in the metropolitan areas around 3. How have Georgia’s Atlanta in the Piedmont Plateau. The area with the greatest water needs lies abundant water in the area with the least amount of water resources. resources helped the The southern half of our state, basically the Outer and Inner Coastal Plain tstate attract business areas, does have ground water. The major aquifers in our state serve as and industry? natural water storage tanks, but all four are located in the Coastal Plain. While 4. What are Georgia’s they provide an abundant water supply for agriculture as well as southern natural water storage residents and businesses, there are concerns about the aquifers as well. In tanks and where are they the past one hundred years, increased usage of water has dropped the water located? level in these natural reservoirs. In some cases, the level has dropped enough that brackish water (a mixture of salt and fresh water) has flowed into the aquifers. Water is not an endless resource. It is a resource that must be shared by all residents, businesses, and CChapterhapter SSummaryummary industries. In Georgia’s case, that water must also be shared with Ala- • Georgia has very diverse plant and animal life. Endangered species in- bama, Florida, and South Carolina clude the bald eagle, the right whale, and the manatee. who are also served by some of the • Over 23 million acres of land in Georgia is forested, twice the national state’s rivers and aquifers. Conserva- average. tion of natural resources, including • Georgia’s natural resources include forests and minerals. Key minerals water, is the responsibility of every in Georgia are clays, kaolin, granite, and marble. Georgian. What can you do to help • A major waterway is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a 1,000-mile preserve our water resources? water highway running from New York to Florida. • Georgia has semidiurnal tides (two high tides and two low tides daily). A Final Note • Major rivers include the Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, and Satilla There is a one-of-a-kind water rivers, which flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The Chattahoochee resource located in Augusta (Rich- and Flint rivers flow into the Gulf of Mexico. The Etowah and Oostanaula mond County). It is a , a nine- rivers form the Coosa river and flow through Alabama into the Gulf. The mile transportation corridor that is Alapaha, Suwannee, and St. Marys rivers flow across the Georgia-Florida the only canal of its kind in the border. . In the past, • Georgia’s manmade lakes provide recreational facilities, water storage the had different uses reservoirs, and hydroelectric power. as you will learn in later chapters. • The state’s water resources were a major influence on settlement in Now it is a National Park Heritage the early days of Georgia’s history and are a major influence attracting Area. That canal changed the county business and industry to the state today. and the state both before and after • Georgia has two deepwater seaports, Savannah and Brunswick, and the Civil War. It is a source of pride two inland barge terminals, Bainbridge and Columbus. for Augustonians.

Section 3: Georgia’s Waterways 65