The People’s River: Atlanta’s Forgotten River

The South River Water Trail is restoring Atlanta’s Forgotten River

Just North of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest, a river begins. The South River flows quietly unnoticed through the heart of Atlanta—through neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and urban forests. It is surprisingly wild and scenic, passing through lush, rewilded landscapes that are mostly undeveloped.

The South River has been overshadowed by its larger neighbor, the Chattahoochee. The Chattahoochee River begins in north Georgia and becomes a major waterway by the time it reaches Atlanta. The Hooch has several dams, lakes, and even national park units: the Atlanta section of the river is a National Recreation Area attracting millions of visitors each year.

Just a few miles away, on the southside of Atlanta, the South River has been mostly forgotten.

Dr. Jacqueline Echols is hoping to change that. She and the South River Watershed Alliance have created the South River Water Trail to highlight the river’s tranquil, scenic, and largely overlooked recreation opportunities.