Record turnout for 11th Annual River Race & Festival!

We welcomed an all-time-high 419 paddlers in 322 boats and over 1,200 festival attendees at Saturday's 11th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race & Festival in Roswell. We'll have race results and a recap of the event in our RiverFLASH eblast on Wednesday afternoon, so stay tuned! (Sign up for the eblast at the lower right side of this page.) Friend us Facebook to see more photos and reflections!

The race covered an 8-mile course from Garrard Landing through the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and to Riverside Park. All of-age racers were treated to a couple of complimentary brews from the SweetWater Beer Barge on the way to the takeout!

We expanded the time frame and the lineup for the festival, with live music, kids' activies, and environmental exhibitors. The music lineup featured Georgia blues-rock guitar legend Tommy Talton backed by Freddy's Finest, as our previous headliner Jimmy Hall had to cancel due to illness. The festial was kicked off by two of the the Roswell-based Music Matters "Rock U" Bands (Involution and Endless Energy) followed by the Women of Rock trio of Caroline Aiken, Diane Durrett and Donna Hopkins.

Kid-friendly activities included appearances by Captain Planet and One More Generation's Bag Monster, Georgia Disc Dogs, and zombie face-painting by Professor Morte("Atlanta's Horror Host"). Learn more about our activities here.

Visit the event page for more info here, and check out highlights from last year's event! AND A HUGE THANKS FOR OUR SPONSORS FOR HELPING MAKE THIS HAPPEN! (See the list here.)

BacteriALERT Program provides post-storm data for metro river park

Managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service and CRK, the BacteriALERT Program provides water quality data from two locations within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) – Paces Ferry Bridge near Vinings and Medlock Bridge near Norcross.

Water samples are collected and analyzed weekly on Thursdays for total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in the river, and results are posted on a publicly accessible website within 24 hours of data collection. This website also provides predictions of E. coli bacteria concentrations in “real-time” using turbidity which is measured continuously and has a correlation to bacteria.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that health advisories be posted when E. coli levels exceed 235 colonies per 100 ml. After heavy storms such as those we have experienced recently in metro Atlanta and north Georgia, it is not unusual for bacteria levels to be 10-30 times the recommended level due to polluted storm runoff, cracked sewer lines and septic systems. Typically, bacteria levels subside dramatically within a few days after a rain event and once the water is no longer muddy or turbid.

The BacteriALERT Program was initiated within the CRNRA in 2000 as a public-private partnership between state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. Learn more about CRK’s water monitoring programs here.

Neighborhood Water Watch data is now available online

Our Neighborhood Water Watch program (NWW) has enjoyed measurable success since its inception three years ago. (See "Neighborhood Water Watch Program Continues to Grow," RiverCHAT, Spring 2013)

Now, you can review weekly bacteria monitoring results from dozens of metro Atlanta streams on the CRK website. 

Data collected by volunteers and staff are uploaded to our website for public view on our new NWW Database, where you will find sampling results, graphs, location descriptions, an interactive NWW map and answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" about E.coli bacteria in waterways.

Data is also uploaded to the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream website on a weekly basis.

Dive into summer with the Waterkeeper Swim Guide

CRK has joined forces with our fellow waterkeepers to provide the latest information on recreational safety at beaches and other water locations across North America -- including the Chattahoochee.

The Waterkeeper Swim Guide website and app provide the latest information to keep you informed at two locations within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Medlock Bridge and Paces Ferry Road.

Samples are collected weekly at these locations and analyzed in conjunction with a long-time partnership with the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and CRK. When new sample data is available, CRK updates Swim Guide.

Report: Local governments, businesses help fill Atlanta's water gap

CRK’s update to our 2011 report, Filling the Water Gap: Conservation Successes and Missed Opportunities in Metro Atlanta, outlines water conservation efforts across metro Atlanta as implemented by nine local governments and select businesses. In our report, we conclude that although the region has made incremental progress in reducing water use, we can and should do more.

We estimate there is nearly 150 million gallons per day (MGD) of water we can save through modest measures, including leak repair, conservation pricing, replacing outdated plumbing fixtures, and rainwater harvesting. If we add reuse, the savings increase to nearly 400 MGD, or enough water to supply 2.6 million people in metro Atlanta.

Download a copy our 2012 report here. Read more about Filling the Water Gap here.

Newly redesigned CRK Store is open for business!

One great way to get in the mood for the warmer weather and the many offerings we have in our Outings Program and seasonal events is to shop for CRK merchandise in our newly redesigned CRK Store! We premiered our new merch at our Wild & Scenic Film Festival in March. Our store features both long- and short-sleeve T-shirts.

Also fresh on our virtual shopping shelves are three different styles of caps to suit your taste: an army-style cap, a “trucker”-style cap (pictured), and the more traditional ball cap.

We also feature a CRK koozie (made with recycled materials) and a dry pouch to keep your gear water-proof, perfect for storing your key and phone during your trip down the Chattahoochee.

Shop with CRK by visiting this link.

SAVE THE DATE: 19th Annual Patron Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 9

Our 19th Annual Patron Dinner will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at The Foundry in the Puritan Mill complex on Atlanta's Westside. Cox Enterprises will receive our River Guardian Award and Atlanta-based UPS will be recognized with our River Sustainability Award.

Jerry McCollum, who retired last year as CEO of the Georgia Wildlife Federation, will receive the River Hero Award. Fran Burst (Burst Video/Film) and Brandon Danowski (Method Studios) will be honored with our River Awareness Award. Stay tuned for ticket information by visiting the event page and following us on Facebook and Twitter.