There have been changes on the Etowah River in Georgia over the last few years, and those changes mean more watercraft on this waterway steeped in history. It also gives river rats of all ages and abilities a variety of experiences, from fishing to running the rapids in an abandoned gold mining tunnel.
“The river is a popular fishing destination boasting one of the only populations of striped bass that spawn in a land-locked setting,” said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Executive Director & Riverkeeper for the Coosa River Basin Initiative. This organization oversees watershed management of the Coosa Watershed, of which the Etowah is a part.
“Recreational use of the waterway has also exploded in the last 5 years as several counties have eagerly worked to improve public access and view the river as an amenity,” he said.
The Etowah River is 163 miles long, beginning in the Southern Appalachians near Dahlonaga, Georgia and flowing south-southwest to eventually form Lake Altoona near Canton, Georgia. It continues its flow through Cartersville to Rome, Georgia where it meets with the Oostanula River and forms the Coosa River. More than 70 different species of fish and other aquatic life have been documented in the entire watershed.
The cooperation the river basin receives from the counties, cities and towns through which the Etowah River flows means river sports enthusiasts can put in at numerous locations along its path. New launch areas are being added along the route, through the efforts of the Etowah River Water Trail Stakeholders Group, comprised of local governments, chambers of commerce, and paddling associations.
Kayaking in the rapids on Etowah River. [Photo/Coosa River Basin Initiative]
"The Etowah has loads of public access points that split the river up into easily manageable day trips," said Demonbreun-Chaplan. "It is navigable all year although sections can run very shallow in the late summer. Worst case scenario, you'd have to get out of your canoe and pull it forward 5-10 yards."
One section of the river is more difficult to access, but the effort to get there is worthwhile, according to online reviews from the adrenaline the crowd. The more adventurous paddlers can veer off the main river and take a bypass through an abandoned mining tunnel.
"The old mining tunnel is certainly a popular place on the upper Etowah although it often remains a legend to most people due to the fact that access points upstream and downstream are not developed and are pretty difficult to use," Demonbreun-Chaplan said. "We're currently working with those counties and stakeholders to try and improve access so that more people can experience the eerie sensation of paddling down a dark tunnel in broad daylight."
The tunnel is a remnant from the region's 1800s gold rush days. It was dug to mine gold from the bottom of the river. Gold was discovered in the Georgia mountains in 1829, making this the second major gold rush in United States. This gold rush ended in the 1840s prompting miners to hunt for other prospecting hot spots, such as the California gold rush of 1849.
About one-quarter of a mile in length, one suggested put in spot is at the Castleberry Bridge in Dawsonville, Georgia. According to the Georgia Canoeing Association, navigating through the tunnel is challenging for novice paddlers. It's flow is categorized as a Class II rapids. The group suggests several safety considerations before taking on the tunnel, including helmets and flashlights, as well as entering the tunnel one vessel at a time.
If going from daylight to darkness and going through Class II whitewater is more than you want to take on, the Etowah is also known for its wildlife viewing.
"Due to its width and relative shallow depth, many sections of the river are also great places to spot Osprey and Bald Eagles out hunting for fish," explained Demonbreun-Chaplan.
There's also history in the waters that pre-date the establishment of the colonies. This area was home to the Cherokee, among other indigenous people.
"In terms of man-made structures, the Etowah is home to an impressive collection of Native American fish weirs that were constructed 500-1000 years ago by Native American residents," Demonbreun-Chaplan said. "These giant, stone, V-shaped structures would funnel fish down to a single point where large wicker baskets were used to pull out fish.
"It's really remarkable that these structures have withstood the test of time in a river that has frequent flooding and significant level changes throughout the year," he said.
The interactive map of the Etowah River Water Trail pinpoints the location of these weirs. It is a handy resource for those navigating portions of the river.
Paddlers on the Etowah River will pass through national forests and state recreational areas.
The annual Etowah River Water Trail Rodeo is held annually on a 6-mile section of the river through Bartow County, ending at Bartow County’s Neel’s Landing. Proceeds from the rodeo helps to develop and promote the Etowah River Water Trail. The event includes a short paddle on the river with complimentary boat rentals, shuttle service, dinner and drinks.