Cleanup: GA: Metro-ATL: Chattahoochee River: Aluminum Can Cleanup

We were not able to do the clean-up because the river was muddy, but it didn’t stop us from having a good paddle trip.

As planned, we met at 8:00am in Roswell’s Azalea Park. For those who don’t know, the Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park is actually a lake. Some 4.5 miles down stream of Azalea Park is Georgia Power’s Morgan Falls Dam which creates this lake, known as Bull Sluice Lake. Saturday morning the lake water was muddy brown and higher than normal due to the previous week’s rain. And because it rained most of Friday night this was no surprise. Experienced paddlers adapt to last minute changes.

We knew from experience that we wouldn’t be able to do the aluminum can clean up so we left the tools and bags in our vehicles. The high water level meant that we would be in for a faster than normal 14+ mile trip. Normally the trip from Medlock Bridge to Azalea Park would take 5-6 hours including a lunch stop but today the rock garden shoals at Jones Bridge and Island Ford would be under water.

It was a quick 5 miles to Garrard Landing (Holcomb Bridge) where we made our first stop to stretch our legs. The higher river level at the boat ramp made this a nice place to stop. The mud bar at the normal level was pleasantly underwater so we were able to paddle to a clean ramp.

At the Jones Bridge ramp we saw a couple of paddlers getting ready to go paddling. There were a few rocks visible here but the river was navigable river-wide.

Our next stop was just before Island Ford Shoals. We stopped for lunch at the big rock in the river on river left where two smaller channels split off the main river. During normal level the wide main channel is shallow and difficult. The middle section is scenic and the left channel borders residential property. Lunch was filled with joyful conversation and rehashing old memories.

Island Ford Shoals were underwater and the river was high enough for some to paddle on the right side of the islands along the roadway.

We arrived at Azalea Park around 2:00am. The 5-6 hour trip took 4-4.5 hours and ended at the North River Tavern over a late-late lunch or early dinner.

It was a good day on the river and we welcomed our newest member Bill Hansford.