Tallapoosa River

Beginning in Georgia the controversy for this once great river starts early, as the site of the first dam to supply water to full the growth of Atlanta and the target of the water wars between Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Once within the boundies of Alabama the river is dammed as a hydropower facility. Here the conflict grows as Alabama Power is being asked to maintain a minimum flow in the river to keep the surges from being so strong. The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County Georgia, just 40 miles west of Atlanta, at an elevation of about 1,145 feet. It flows in a south-westerly direction for about 195 miles into Alabama and then takes a big left hand turn to the west after meeting Uphapee Creek and continues westerly for 40 miles to join the Coosa River near Wetumpka. Its total length of 235 miles drains a watershed area of 4,680 square miles. Only 720 square miles lie in Georgia accounting for 15% of the total land area. The remaining 3,960 square miles lie in Alabama accounting for 85% of the land area. (GA DNR) The Upper Tallapoosa has one primary tributary, the Little Tallapoosa River, which originates slightly to the south of its older sibling, in Carroll County Georgia. Within Georgia, the Tallapoosa River and the Little Tallapoosa River form separate basins of almost equal drainage area. The Little Tallapoosa’s total drainage area is 605 square miles. The main stem enters Alabama at Cleburne County and the Little Tallapoosa enters as the border between Cleburne and Randolph Counties. The two merge when they flow into Lake Wedowee. (GA DNR) Other principal tributaries include Sougahatchee Creek, South Sandy Creek, Uphapee, and Hillabee Creeks in Alabama. (GA DNR) (For more information, please visit Rivers of Alabama)