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News Articles: Chattahoochee River

 Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth leads a team in monitoring water quality and groundwater levels along the river that provides drinking water to millions of Georgians. Photo submitted by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Photo submitted by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Planned closure of federal center in Georgia triggers worries about ability to monitor water quality

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper considers Fulton County pollution drama as a reason to sound the alarm over the now-uncertain future of the U.S. Geological Survey’s South Atlantic Water Science Center in Norcross.

April 21, 2025
|
By:
  • Stanley Dunlap and
  • Georgia Recorder
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Drone captures the Phenix City Waste Water Treatment Plant, 1600 E. State Docks Road, Phenix City, AL, on 6/10/24. The plant is accused of violating the Clean Water Act and Alabama Water Pollution Control Act Henry Jacobs, CRK

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

‘Time for Phenix City to step up.’ City sued twice over wastewater in Chattahoochee River

Phenix City is facing two lawsuits, one from the state of Alabama, over allegedly violating the Clean Water Act.

September 19, 2024
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
The Chattahoochee Riverkeepers serve as watchdogs for water quality in the Chattahoochee River, including the Columbus stretch of the waterway. See their process, and why they're concerned about the water quality in some areas. Mike Haskey/Ledger-Enquirer

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Chattahoochee Riverkeepers protect Columbus water for the long haul. Inside their process

Despite the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization existing for 30 years, with roots in Atlanta, the nonprofit that serves as a watchdog for river pollution only began consistently monitoring in the Columbus area in the last few years. Thanks to an expanding staff, a new water quality lab partnership at Columbus State University and tips from locals concerned about water quality, the riverkeepers are showing up more often to test water in the river and creeks.

July 16, 2024
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
Ashley Desensi, Technical Programs Specialist for the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper taking samples of E.Coli bacteria at the wastewater treatment plant outfall in Chattahoochee River on June 4, 2024. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Tagged as: 

  • News

Unsafe levels of bacteria in Chattahoochee River from Phenix City plant, watchdog says

The Phenix City wastewater treatment plant is discharging significantly more E. coli bacteria into the Chattahoochee River than the facility is permitted to, a river watchdog group has alleged.

June 07, 2024
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
As part of its commitment to achieving a trash-free Chattahoochee, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) is hosting its 14th annual Sweep the Hooch river cleanup on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Chattahoochee River cleanup Sweep the Hooch set for March 23

As part of its commitment to achieving a trash-free Chattahoochee, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) is hosting its 14th annual Sweep the Hooch river cleanup on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

February 16, 2024
|
By:
  • Rough Draft Atlanta
RiverLands rendering courtesy of Trust for Public Land.

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Above the Waterline: RiverLands offers new Chattahoochee access

Today, the Chattahoochee River between the city of Atlanta and West Point Lake — a 70-mile stretch with forested riverbanks, rocky shoals, rural communities, and cultural sites — is no longer regularly polluted with the city’s waste. Once considered off-limits for recreation due to chronic sewage overflows and polluted storm runoff, this previously blighted section is on the cusp of becoming a major destination for outdoor experiences.

February 08, 2024
|
By:
  • Sally Bethea
 Georgia and Alabama have agreed to four objectives that include minimum water flow levels at sites in Columbus, Georgia and Columbia, Alabama.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Advocates hopeful after Georgia, Alabama officials announce plan to settle water war outside court

An agreement between the states of Georgia and Alabama in a yearslong water dispute is being celebrated for where it came about: outside of a courtroom.

December 15, 2023
|
By:
  • Jill Nolin
Brittany Martin floats down the Chattahoochee river as traffic spans Interstate 285 in Atlanta, Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Georgia and Alabama propose a deal to settle their water war over the Chattahoochee River

Georgia and Alabama are proposing a deal to settle their water war over the Chattahoochee River. If approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the deal would provide for minimum water flows at two points along the river.

December 13, 2023
|
By:
  • Associated Press
An Apalachicola Red Horse “Sucker” stunned in the shock boat as it is caught by Dr. Steve Sammons near the Waveshaper in Columbus, Ga. on Nov. 29, 2023.

Tagged as: 

  • Climate

Dozens of ‘suckers’ but no Shoal Bass. What fish tell us about the Chattahoochee River

Fish sampling is essential to understanding the health of the river but is seldom done in this stretch of the Chattahoochee near Columbus, Ga.

December 04, 2023
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
Ashley Desensi sits among a superbloom of (liatris) blazingstar at the Canoochee Sandhills Photo courtesy of Ashley Desensi

Tagged as: 

  • News

Meet the ‘tenacious’ Chattahoochee Riverkeeper who’s cleaned up Columbus water

Ashley Desensi’s love for nature runs deep. At 35, she is protecting Columbus’s water resources, advocating for native plant growth and invasive species removal, and finding joy through nurturing her three children. But she had to come through many struggles first.

November 29, 2023
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
The first few days of the whitewater runs in September 2013. Photo taken from Phenix City by Virginia Causey. Tim Chitwood tchitwood@ledger-enquirer.com  Read more at: https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/business/article282102998.html#storylink=cpy

Tagged as: 

  • News

The Chattahoochee dams in Columbus were removed 10 years ago. Has the river been restored?

Until 2012 and 2013, portions of the Chattahoochee were un-dammed and reengineered, creating a 2.5-mile urban whitewater course. A two-part story will take a trip down the Chattahoochee to explore the economic gains and environmental challenges over the last decade that have incurred from this $26 million restoration project.

November 28, 2023
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
A boat passes along Lake Lanier, April 23, 2013, in Buford, Ga. Fashion designer Tameka Foster, the ex-wife of R&B singer Usher, is calling to drain Lake Lanier, Georgia's largest lake, where her son was fatally injured 11 years ago. Kile Glover, her 11-year-old son with Bounce TV chairman Ryan Glover, died in July 2012 after a personal watercraft struck the boy as he floated in an inner tube on the lake.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Usher's ex-wife wants to drain Georgia's largest lake, where a boater fatally struck her son

The ex-wife of R&B singer Usher wants to drain Georgia's largest lake. Fashion designer Tameka Foster's son was fatally injured on Lake Lanier a decade ago.

July 14, 2023
|
By:
  • Associated Press
Sally Sierer Bethea is a retired riverkeeper and author of the new book, "Keeping the Chattahoochie".

Tagged as: 

  • News

Retired riverkeeper reflects on 'Keeping the Chattahoochee'

Sally Sierer Bethea's new book, Keeping the Chattahoochee, is part love letter to the river, part call-to-action for those who want to protect it.

July 12, 2023
|
By:
  • Peter Biello
The southern elktoe is a rare freshwater mussel found only in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River Basins. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed in June, 2023 to add the southern elktoe to the endangered species list. Photo credit: J.Wisniewski (GADNR)

Tagged as: 

  • News

A rare southeastern mussel could be added to the endangered species list

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service wants to add the southern elktoe, a rare freshwater mussel found only in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River Basins, to the endangered species list.

July 06, 2023
|
By:
  • Devon Zwald
The Chattahoochee River

Tagged as: 

  • News

UPDATE: Popular stretch of Chattahoochee River closed; sewage spill impacts holiday plans

An overview of the spill and how to check the operational status of your favorite recreation spots for the Fourth of July holiday.

July 03, 2023
|
By:
  • Orlando Montoya
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