• Mist rising of the river at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

    Chattahoochee River

    National Recreation Area Georgia

  • Rising River Waters Can Kill!

    Watch for rapidly rising river levels on the Chattahoochee River. Water released from dams and heavy rain can turn a day on the river into a tragedy! More »

  • Call for Water Release Schedule Information

    For water release schedule info, call 1-855-DAM-FLOW (1-855-326-3569) for Buford Dam and 404-329-1455 for Morgan Falls Dam. Save numbers to your cell! More »

Fourth Annual Chattahoochee River Summer Splash Event a Big Success

Enjoying a float down the Chattahoochee River.
Tom Wilson
Enjoying a sunny float at the Chattahoochee River Summer Splash.

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: August 8, 2011
Contact: Nancy Walther, 678-538-1200

On a hot July 30th, over 625 people of all ages beat the summer heat by leisurely floating along a six mile section of the Chattahoochee River, from Morgan Falls Dam to Powers Island, for the 2011 Chattahoochee River Summer Splash. The annual event was free to the public and was hosted by the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism. Participants brought their own boats or rented from local venders. Shuttle service was provided by the National Park Service. Student Conservation Association and Greening Youth interns, as well as numerous park volunteers, assisted in safely launching participants’ rafts, canoes, and kayaks. Patrol boats quietly motored up and down this section of river to ensure safety, and were assisted by experienced park volunteers who provided information and water when needed. At the Powers Island finish, park volunteers and local area Boy Scouts assisted folks in removing their watercraft from the river, and then up the wide access steps.

As the event is designed for families, there is something for everyone. After receiving t-shirts upon completion of the float, participants could purchase food, view related exhibits, and listen to live music as a way to wind down and enjoy the day’s festivities. Children enjoyed activities such as face painting and the Bubble Creation station, led by the bubble fairy. Many folks were treated to the vision of ospreys circling overhead, red-tailed hawks calling from the forested ridges, or a large trout leaping from the cool water. While afternoon showers cooled the near record temperatures, spirits could not be dampened as this Fourth Annual Chattahoochee River Summer Splash event brought even more people back to the Chattahoochee River than in previous years.

Did You Know?

Canada Goose on the Chattahoochee - Photo by Tom Wilson

The Canada Goose is a year-round resident of the Chattahoochee River. Once pushed to the brink of extinction by over-hunting and habitat loss, Canada Geese have made a comeback thanks to re-introduction programs and better management of hunting practices.