From its headwaters in north Georgia, to its intersection with the Ocoee River forming the mighty Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River cuts across 241 miles of diverse terrain. Along the way, the Ocmulgee and its tributaries drain about 6,180 square miles across thirty-three Georgia counties. This is the Ocmulgee watershed.

From its more developed shores in the Macon area to stretches of pure wilderness, the Ocmulgee River is truly one of central Georgia’s hidden treasures.

And the best way to experience the river is by paddle. Every year, the Georgia River Network sponsors Paddle Georgia, an event which draws hundreds of paddling enthusiasts from all skill levels to take on a river. In 2007 they chose the Ocmulgee River and we tagged along to experience the river with them. All this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Ocmulgee River Watershed

Web Resources

Georgia River Network
Georgia River Network is working to ensure a clean water legacy by engaging and empowering Georgians to protect and restore our rivers from the mountains to the coast.

Paddle Georgia
Paddle Georgia is an event sponsored every year by the Georgia River Network. Hundreds of paddling enthusiasts of all skill levels take on a 7 day trip down a different river. But it's more than a fun trip-- it’s an education on river ecology and the importance of keeping our rivers clean.

Georgia Adopt a Stream
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream is a volunteer water quality monitoring program. The goals of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream are to increase public awareness of the State’s nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues, provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government, and collect quality baseline water quality data.

Altamaha Riverkeeper
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is a grassroots organization dedicated to the protection, defense and restoration of Georgia’s biggest river, the Altamaha, including its tributaries: the Ocmulgee, the Oconee and the Ohoopee.

Ocmulgee Archaeological Society
The Ocmulgee Archaeological Society is a chapter of the Society for Georgia Archaeology and is dedicated to the preservation of Georgia's past, both historical and pre-historical. Events and projects in which the OAS is involved can be found on their website.

Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter
The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Georgia Chapter has protected more than 272,000 acres in Georgia.