South River (Ocmulgee River tributary)

The South River is a 63.5-mile-long (102.2 km)[1] tributary of the Ocmulgee River in the U.S. state of Georgia. It originates in the city of East Point in Fulton County and eventually flows into Lake Jackson, joining the Yellow River and Alcovy River to form the Ocmulgee.

South River
Map
Location
CountryUnited States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationGeorgia

The present name "South River" is derived from shortening and alteration of the original name South Branch Ocmulgee River.[2]

In 2021, non-profit American Rivers placed the South River fourth on its list of America's Most Endangered Rivers, citing "the egregious threat that ongoing sewage pollution poses to clean water and public health."[3]

River course

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The river daylights just north of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in the city of East Point, Georgia.[4] It proceeds to flow in a southeasterly direction through suburbs of Atlanta, eventually flowing into Jackson Lake. The mean flow on the river is 1380cfs, with a mean gauge height of 7.86 feet (2.40 m).[5]

The most notable rapid on the river is Snapping Shoals, located on the county line between Henry County and Newton County. The shoal is classified as Class III rapids.[6]

The dam immediately before Snapping Shoals was once used as a hydro-electric production plant to power a local machine shop.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 21, 2011
  2. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 209. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  3. ^ "South River named among America's Most Endangered Rivers". American Rivers. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  4. ^ "OVERVIEW". South River Watershed Alliance. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  5. ^ "SOUTH RIVER AT GA 81, AT SNAPPING SHOALS, GA". waterdata.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  6. ^ "American Whitewater". www.americanwhitewater.org. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  7. ^ "Thomas Brothers Hydro Inc". Retrieved 2023-02-07.

33°22′05″N 83°51′48″W / 33.36818°N 83.86324°W / 33.36818; -83.86324