Why Georgia Is Awesome, Part 3

Georgia's great because of its rivers!  I know I'm a bit of a river fanatic, but I honestly think it's impossible not to appreciate the diversity of Georgia's rivers.  We've got fast moving mountain streams and broad lazy rivers.

River ecology is really interesting because they all follow a basic pattern.  They typically originate as small, fast moving mountain streams.  This section of the river is usually at a higher elevation and has the clearest water.  The intermediate section slows down a bit and gets cloudier from more accumulated debris entering the river.  Most of the debris is leaf litter from trees.  As it approaches its terminus, the river widens, slows, and gets less clear.  This stretch is usually the most nutrient-rich.

Although almost all rivers follow a pattern similar to that one, they can support very different ecosystems.  Near Savannah, we see a lot of blackwater rivers, like the Ogeechee and Canoochee.  In north Georgia, there are numerous whitewater streams which are a literal contrast to the blackwater.  The Oconee River is one of my personal favorites, and it's one of the longest ones in Georgia.  Plus, it's got a few fun rapids for rafting.

Whether you enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, rafting, or paddling, I'm pretty sure Georgia has a river for you.  I'm definitely making a point to float down a few this summer.