“Green water” is what the indigenous Muscogee people called this river. This is the South River at Bouldercrest Road. It offers metro residents an escape from urban life. The South River flows through the heritage area. It is a headwater to the largest freshwater system in Georgia. The river starts in East Point north of the Atlanta Airport. It flows 60 miles southeast across Atlanta.
The South River is a tributary of the Ocmulgee River. It stretches 63.5 miles long. Eventually, it flows into Lake Jackson. There it joins the Yellow River and Alcovy River. Together they form the Ocmulgee.
The South River is one of only two urban-origin rivers in Georgia. Its watershed covers about 544 square miles. This includes creeks and streams. These drain large sections of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, and Butts Counties. The river daylights at Norman Berry Drive. This is just north of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. From there the South River travels to Jackson Lake. The Ocmulgee flows to Macon. It meets the Oconee and becomes the Altamaha River. The Altamaha drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
Pollution has been a problem for the South River. It dates back to 1961. DeKalb County’s sanitary sewer system is the source. The South River Watershed Alliance SRWA was formed in 2000. It works to restore the river. They focus on awareness, advocacy, and recreation. The SRWA offers guided paddles on the river. These take place spring through fall.
In 2021, American Rivers listed the South River. It was fourth on America’s Most Endangered Rivers list. This was due to ongoing sewage pollution. In 1991, all 60 miles of the South River were declared extremely polluted.
The SRWA focuses on protecting the South River. It flows through predominantly Black and brown communities. The river is a treasure facing environmental injustices. The SRWA addresses these with water quality testing. They also offer recreational programs like kayaking. They improve river access and are involved in legal battles.
The SRWA is measuring recreational use of the river. They want to upgrade the South River to “Recreational Use”. This would mean higher water quality standards. You can check in every time you visit the river. This helps the SRWA’s efforts.
The South River flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Its journey is long and vital. The river faces challenges. Yet, it also offers recreation and natural beauty.