The Tallapoosa River Basin drains a total of 4680 square miles, but only about 15% lies in Georgia, with the remainder in Alabama. The Tallapoosa River eventually joins the Coosa (also originating in northwest Georgia) to form the Alabama River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a highly biodiverse river with a number of imperiled species. The name Tallapoosa comes from the Muscogee words Tvlofv puse/a, meaning “grandmother town,” because the Tallapoosa branch of the Muscogee tribe is considered one of the oldest groups in the Southeast. The Alabama section of the Tallapoosa River holds four hydroelectric dams along its 265 miles, providing energy services along with recreational areas, but these dams have also contributed to the decline in native aquatic species. Continue exploring the Tallapoosa below.
Photo by Alan Cressler via Flickr. Location: Tallapoosa River, Dub Denman Canoe Trail, Haralson County, Georgia.
CONSERVATION
Visit the Upper Tallapoosa Watershed Group to learn more about conservation in the basin.
View USGS data from the Tallapoosa River monitoring site (a.k.a. Horseshoe Bend).
Learn about the EPD’s Fish Consumption Advisories online in the Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia’s Waters.
Photo by Alan Cressler via Flickr. Location: Tallapoosa River, Haralson County, Georgia.
RECREATION
On the Georgia side of this basin, paddle the Dub Denman Canoe Trail or chill at Helton Howland Memorial Park in Tallapoosa, GA.
Over in Alabama, continue exploring the Tallapoosa for more activities.
Photo by Alan Cressler via Flickr. Location: Hillabee Creek, U.S. Geological Survey sample site, Tallapoosa County, Alabama.
Photo by Alan Cressler via Flickr.
EDUCATION
Learn more about the Tallapoosa, along with Georgia’s other amazing rivers, at Georgia Rivers.
Check out Awwareness, the official newsletter of Alabama Water Watch, and their resources on the Tallapoosa River Basin.
Read about recreation and land use in the Tallapoosa Basin at Outdoor Alabama.
Explore Georgia State-Protected species by watershed at the Georgia Biodiversity Portal.
Map of the Tallapoosa River Basin. Created by Anna Baynes (UGA River Basin Center).