News Release

Chattahoochee River reopens below Powers Island

Date: July 10, 2023
Contact: Beth Wheeler, 404-803-7641

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga.—Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (park) is reopening the Chattahoochee River from Powers Island to all downstream sections of the park that were affected with elevated E. Coli contamination. The park closed sections of the river last week due to a public health risk from an issue at Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility. The river remains closed from Chattahoochee Nature Center to Powers Island. The sections of the river below Powers Island have bacterial levels below the criteria recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency, but conditions remain subject to change. 

Updated water quality monitoring has identified safe bacteria counts in this section that meet water recreation criteria used by the Environmental Protection Agency. The park and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper are continuing to monitor and test water quality through the BacteriALERT partnership. The park will assess impacts to wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic resources. Fulton County Public Works is continuing treatment at the Big Creek facility to ensure all wastewater meets permitting requirements of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. 

Before you get in the water, always remember to wear a life vest and check the flow rate, weather forecast and bacteria levels. Current information about the river is available at www.nps.gov/CHAT.