Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) works to protect the health of the millions of Georgians who use the river for drinking water, the people who eat the fish from the river, and the people who recreate in the Chattahoochee and its lakes (e.g., Lanier and West Point).

After heavy rains, the Chattahoochee, Lake Lanier and West Point Lake are not safe for body contact recreation because of high bacteria levels in the water. This bacteria enters the river in storm runoff that flows across yards, construction sites, streets and other pavement; it also enters streams when sewer lines that have not been maintained and/or are over capacity discharge raw sewage. A good rule of thumb is to stay away from streams and the river when the water is muddy-looking.

The state recommends that fish caught in the Chattahoochee, Lake Lanier, and West Point Lake be consumed based on species-specific guidelines because of the presence of contaminants (e.g., mercury, chlordane and PCBs) in fish tissue. At risk populations, such as pregnant and nursing mothers, should be especially careful in their consumption of these fish.

Health Protection Programs:

Permit Review and Comment

Fisherman’s Right-to-Know Regulations

BacteriALERT Program

Fish Consumption Guidelines