The Satilla River is one of south Georgia’s blackwater rivers, which contain higher levels of natural tannins that give the water a dark appearance and distinctive physical and chemical characteristics. The basin drains almost 4000 square miles of land across 15 GA counties, and the river itself flows for approximately 200 miles before emptying into St. Andrews Sound on the Atlantic coast. The Satilla is one of the few basins not given its name by indigenous people (Muscogee/Creek), but a Spanish name (Saint Illa). The river was a vital network for the Muscogee people, providing both transportation and natural resources. Continue exploring the Satilla below.
Photo via Georgia River Network.
CONSERVATION
Get involved with conservation at Satilla Riverkeeper.
View USGS data from the Satilla River monitoring site near Waycross, GA.
Check out EPD’s Satilla River Basin Management Plan, completed 2002.
Learn about the EPD’s Fish Consumption Advisories online in the Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia’s Waters.
Photo via Tidelands Nature Center, Georgia 4-H & UGA.
RECREATION
Take a kayaking tour with Tidelands Nature Center, paddle the Satilla River Water Trail on your own, or explore any of the beautiful parks in the area.
Other parks and recreation areas: Laura Walker State Park, Crooked River State Park, General Coffee State Park, George L. Smith State Park
Photo by Alan Cressler via Flickr. Location: Crooked River State Park, Camden County, Georgia. Crooked River State Park is an intercoastal park an forest area in the southeast corner of Georgia. This picture shows sculpted Juniperus virginiana, also known as eastern red cedar.
EDUCATION
Learn more about the Satilla, along with Georgia’s other amazing rivers, at Georgia Rivers.
Read about the history of the Satilla River in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
Check out the River Basin Center’s resources on the Okefenokee Swamp.
Explore Georgia State-Protected species by watershed at the Georgia Biodiversity Portal.
Photo via Georgia River Network.
Map of the Satilla River Basin. Created by Anna Baynes (UGA River Basin Center).