Open Water: The Chattahoochee River Reopens

The Gist: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has reopened all sections of the Chattahoochee River that were previously closed due to elevated E. Coli contamination.

The closure was put in place as a safety precaution in late June after a release at the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility operated by Fulton County.

The park conducted daily water quality sampling with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and has seen continual improvement in sampling results, leading to the decision to reopen the river.

Key Points:

• The closure of sections of the Chattahoochee River occurred in late June.
• The closure was due to elevated E. Coli contamination from a release at the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility.
• Water quality sampling with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has been conducted daily since the spill was detected.
• The bacterial levels are now below the criteria recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• The park is assessing impacts on wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic resources.

Why It Matters: The reopening of all sections of the Chattahoochee River in the National Recreation Area is significant as it indicates that the bacterial levels have reduced to a safe level. The closure was put in place to ensure the safety of visitors and prevent any potential health risks. The continuous monitoring and improvement of water quality by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the U.S. Geological Survey have contributed to this positive outcome. The reopening of the river provides local residents and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the recreational activities that the Chattahoochee River offers.

What’s Next?: Moving forward, the park will continue to assess the impacts of the spill on wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic resources. The BacteriALERT partnership with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the U.S. Geological Survey will also continue to monitor the water quality at specific locations along the river.