Altamaha River User's Guide

The Altamaha River User's Guide provides information for novice and experienced water sports enthusiasts to enjoy the 137-mile river formed at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers east of Lumber City, Georgia, and its major tributary, the Ohoopee. The drainage basin of the river is about 14,000 square miles in size, qualifying it among the larger river basins of the U.S. Atlantic coast. The river basin is home to federally protected Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons and supports the only known example of old-growth longleaf pine and black oak forest in the United States. The river passes through sparsely populated land, with Brunswick, Savannah, and Jesup being the largest nearby cities. The guide includes detailed maps, put-in and takeout suggestions, fishing and camping locations, mile-by-mile points of interest, and an illustrated guide to the animals and plants commonly seen in and around the river.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2024
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

The Altamaha River User's Guide is a comprehensive resource for both novice and experienced water sports enthusiasts, providing all the necessary information to enjoy the full length of the 137-mile river formed at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers east of Lumber City, Georgia, as well as its major tributary, the Ohoopee, which winds some 120 miles through south-central Georgia. The drainage basin of the largest river in Georgia is approximately 14,000 square miles in size, making it one of the larger river basins on the U.S. Atlantic coast. At least 120 species of rare or endangered plants and animals live in the Altamaha River watershed, including 18 species of freshwater mussels, seven of which are endemic to the Altamaha. The river basin is also home to federally protected Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons and supports the only known example of old-growth longleaf pine and black oak forest in the United States. The unusual Franklin tree (Franklinia altamaha), now extinct in the wild, was found by British naturalist John Bartram along the Altamaha in 1765. Despite its sparsely populated land, the Altamaha holds a special place in Georgia's cultural history due to its importance in the state's history, from the first settlements at Darien through the steamboat era of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Indeed, its headwater streams stretch all the way to metro Atlanta and Athens. In tandem with the already published Oconee and Ocmulgee River Users Guides, the publication of the Altamaha River Users Guide completes UGA Press's documentation of Georgia's largest river system. Author Joe Cook includes detailed information on the river's history, geology, ecology, and recreational opportunities, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in exploring the Altamaha River.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820364261