It wends its way through Alabama, making its way south to join the Tallapoosa River northeast of Alabama's state capital, Montgomery. The Coosa River, for most of its way, is considered quite beneficial economically and recreationally to the State of Alabama, according to Coosa Riverkeeper Justinn Overton. The Coosa River headwaters are located near Rome, Ga., formed at the confluence of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers. The Coosa measures some 280 miles, covering an area of 10,000 square miles of land. The river and its six lakes provide hydropower, drinking water and recreation to 500,000 residents from Rome in the north, to Wetumpka, Ala., in the south where the two rivers join the Alabama River.
Riverkeepers have been around a long time, dating back to 1966, when the first was founded by Robert Kennedy Jr. in Ossining, N.Y., organized to protect New York's Hudson River. It was an idea in river sustainability that today stretches across the nation. All Riverkeeper affiliates have the same dedication: To protect the nation's rivers and their tributaries. Alabama's Coosa Riverkeeper Justinn Overton is based in Laurel Hill, Ala., outside the City of Birmingham.
On the day Overton and North Coosa River Water Tester Amy Murph were in Gadsden at a popular swimming spot at Jack Ray Park, there were some 25 swimmers dunking in the river water as motorboats were put in by fishermen and boaters at the adjacent boat ramp, one of many popular spots along the river in the city. This is one of the 26 water testing sites Overton and Murph check on periodically each summer through Labor Day.
“Justinn Overton, Exec Director of Coosa Riverkeeper, and Amy Murph (Blue), North Route Sampler, check water on the Coosa.”
Overton explained that Coosa Riverkeeper is a “citizen-based conservation group working to protect, restore and promote the Coosa River.” She added, “We patrol the waters, educate the public and advocate on the river's behalf. We monitor the Lower and Middle Coosa Basins while our sister group, Upper Coosa Riverkeeper, monitors the Upper Coosa Basin.” She reported that the organization is supported by hundreds of ordinary citizens. Riverkeepers are spread across the nation from Buffalo/Niagara, N.Y. to the Russian River at Healdsburg, Calif. They are a member of Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of over 250 organizations dedicated to protecting local waterways on 6 continents.
“We are especially interested in protecting the nation's watersheds, just as Kennedy was in protecting New York's drinking water,” says Overton, an attractive brunette who was on duty in early May with Amy Murph as they collected samples from a swimming spot almost under the U.S. 431/U.S.278 bridge in Gadsden, next to a boat ramp. At the end of River Road is River Country RV Campground, located at 1 River Road in Gadsden, which offers its own swimming and boat launch areas to River Country campers along with access to the Coosa and to Blackwater Creek. Many campsites are waterfront. Amenities include two large swimming pools, including a 40x80-ft Infinity Pool and 20x40 pool, along with a kids Splash Pool. River Country features large pull-throughs with 30/50 amp hookups, sewer, cable, and free Wi-Fi. River Country Campground owner Debbie Knight suggests, “Bring your fishing rods, boats and jet skis. We have four fishing piers. Take advantage of the Coosa that surrounds us.” Check in time is after 1 p.m., check out is at noon.Country River is a Good Sam park.
“Each summer we take water samples at some 26 popular swimming spots along the Coosa to make sure the waters are safe to swim and fish. We also have a Swim Guide for those who are interested in avoiding harmful elements that can adversely affect swimmers or fishing if the water is polluted.” She added that the Swim Guide can be found online at CoosaRiver.org.
“Desiree "Peanut" Fitts and her band, Mother May I, are always a favorite at First Fridays of the month in Downtown Gadsden.”
Historically North America's most biodiverse river, the Coosa lost to extinction about 40 aquatic species after damming in the 20th Century, having forever changed the Coosa River. Even today, it is a fisherman's paradise where small and large-mouth Bass, Brim, Crappie, and several varieties of catfish are found. Coosa River accesses are a treasure trove to fishermen who join in a variety of fishing tournaments each year, crowding the riverfront with their vehicles and boat trailers. Coosa Landing in the City of Gadsden was purchased by a board of local fishermen with the goal of hosting the “Best Tournament Trail” fishing spot. Coosa Landing each year hosts many local fishing events as well as state and national fishing tournaments, including Crappie USA, the BASS Federation,the Women's Bass Fishing Association and others. Parking at Coosa Landing allows about 125 trucks/boat trailers with overflow parking available when needed. The Gadsden Parks and Recreation main office at (256) 549-4680 can provide tournament information, or visit the City of Gadsden.
Crisscrossed with rivers, lakes, and streams, North Alabama is an angler's paradise. The fishermen's board partners with Parks and Recreation and the City of Gadsden to promote its sector of the Coosa. Local fishermen teamed up in 2016 to purchase the Coosa River Team Trail with a variety of tournaments in season. Among the upcoming events are the Bass Nation set for May 26; the FLW Bama Division Competition on July 14, a Sept. 15 Darden Rehab Charity Tournament and an Oct. 26-27 ABT Championship. For information, call Chris Hopper at (256) 310-2915.
Gadsden isn't the only place along the Coosa where so many things are happening. Coosa Riverkeeper sponsors a series of Cheers to the Coosa benefit dinner parties each year. Each dinner is unique and focuses on a specific seasonal harvest, occasionally featuring pairings with craft beer. “They are fantastic meals,” boasts Overton.
Other activities along the Coosa at Gadsden include “adaptive reuse” of a former K-mart store which is being converted into a convention center near Coosa Landing. A $2.5 million renovation to turn 20,000 square feet into a multi-use project is expected to be completed by summer's end, just in time for the 5th Annual Rock the River 2018 event. To be held in conjunction with Gadsden's Mary G. Hardin Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Gadsden, this music festival will feature The Tyn Tymes, the so-called “South's best party band,” along with many other activities to be held at the new Gadsden Convention Center on Aug. 11. Sponsored by Pepsi, Exchange Bank, Buffalo Rock, and the City of Gadsden, it is expected to attract several thousand people to the newly completed Venue at Coosa Landing.
The University of Alabama's Center for Economic Development has a study underway, in partnership with Jacksonville State University on an economic impact study of Neely Henry Lake, one of Coosa River lakes, which focuses on the Gadsden area, according to Brian R. Rushing, director of UAECD's initiatives.
According to Kay Moore, director of Downtown Gadsden, Inc., Main Street office, the city already hosts a popular series of "First Friday" monthly events along an eight-block area of downtown close to Coosa Landing. Moore said of the new convention/multi-use venture and the city's Riverwalk, “We've taken the river for granted for so long, as you do when you live somewhere.” But when Chattanooga turned their riverfront area into an economic powerhouse, Moore noted, “Hey, we've got our own riverfront here, why don't we do that?” She added that riverfront business expansion and the Venue at Coosa Landing will be a boon for our economy, helping everyone.”