Originating in the southeastern Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chattahoochee River traverses multiple counties as it winds past the Atlanta metropolitan area, providing ecological services, water supply, and recreational opportunities for communities along nearly 100 miles until its confluence with the Flint River. While the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area draws millions of visitors annually, other reaches of the river are less well known and accessible.
In an effort to redefine the region’s relationship to the Chattahoochee and establish a new vision for its future, the Atlanta Regional Commission, The Trust for Public Land, the City of Atlanta, and Cobb County commissioned a study of 100 miles of the river valley, extending from Lake Lanier to Chattahoochee Bend State Park. The study produced a carefully designed greenway corridor that considers a variety of cultural, ecological, and infrastructure concerns while connecting people to the river that defines and serves the region.
As the ecological design and planning consultant on the team led by SCAPE Landscape Architecture, Biohabitats led the ecological assessment of the study area, advising on project vision and environmental regulatory compliance. Biohabitats also participated in public outreach events to garner input and support from the community.
TAGS
Owner: Atlanta Regional Commission
Bioregion: Southeast Atlantic
Ecoregion: Southeastern Floodplains and Low Terraces
Physiographic province: Coastal Plain
Watershed: Bull Creek-Chattahoochee River
Collaborators: SCAPE, Gresham Smith, New South Associates, Edwards-Pittman, Dr. Na'taki Osborne Jelks, Dr. Richard Milligan