The chattahoochee river (indented)
the chattahoochee river

the chattahoochee river system is one of the most important in georgia. it has been used by the indigenous people of georgia as well as the european settlers, the armies of the civil war, and the modern population of atlanta. the river provides natural boundaries for states and counties. it is also an important water source for several cities and states and offers transportation and recreational opportunities, such as “tubing” down the rapids.

geography

the chattahoochee river begins in the northeast corner of georgia and in the southern blue ridge mountains in union county. it flows 430 miles to the gulf of mexico. its headwater, or the beginning of the river, is found in the chattahoochee national forest. the river then continues southwesterly to the suburbs of atlanta. as it meanders through the highly populated area of atlanta, it creates borders between forsyth and gwinnett counties, and cobb and fulton counties, to name a few. the river eventually turns south and forms the southern boundary between alabama and georgia. it finally merges with the flint river and forms the apalachicola river. this river system travels through the panhandle of florida and empties into the gulf.

history

archeological evidence reveals that the river was important to the tribes of georgia as early as 1,000 bc. the river not only served as a source of water and food, but also acted as the natural boundary between the muscogee or creek people to the east and the cherokee people to the west. after 1832, european settlers used the river for transportation and commerce. during the civil war, the confederate army built a line of fortifications along the river to protect atlanta from general sherman. after the war, the river became important as a major transportation route between the gulf of mexico and georgia. boats carried both goods and travelers. during the 1900s, the government built both hydroelectric plants and recreational reserves on the river. finally in 2010, a whitewater course, the longest urban rafting course in the country, opened. it offered recreational opportunities to the citizens of georgia. today, many visitors to the river enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and tubing the “hootch,” as the river is called by georgia natives.

debate

a debate has grown because the chattahoochee borders both georgia and alabama and then continues its journey through the state of florida. both florida and alabama have sued georgia over its unrestricted rights over the use of the river’s water. atlanta depends on the chattahoochee to supply water to the millions who live in atlanta. however, atlanta’s use of the chattahoochee’s water has enormous impact on surrounding states. for example, the oysters found in the apalachicola bay, the mouth of the river system, need the freshwater of the river system to combine with the salt water of the bay to ensure their continued existence. in addition, there has been concern about the desire to withdraw water from the river south of columbus as this would impact river barge navigation. these concerns may continue to grow as possible drought conditions become evident during the summer months.

the chattahoochee has been and will continue to be a valuable resource for georgia. it offers a source of available water for millions of residents. it supplies hydroelectric power to growing businesses. it provides exciting recreational opportunities to sports enthusiasts. the river continues to support georgia’s economy. it is a state treasure that must be guarded. the chattahoochee river keepers, a group of citizens devoted to the river, are determined to protect this important asset so that the river can continue to support all of georgia’s citizens as a clean and protected resource.

which of the following best explains the author’s development of the debate between georgia, florida, and alabama in “the chattahoochee river”?

a
the author presents the information about the impact of the river on the economy of each state through categories.
b
the author develops the ideas about the debate by comparing water levels in the river during adequate periods of precipitation and those that occur during a drought.

c
the author explains the debate by comparing georgia’s need for the water to support the citizens of atlanta with florida’s need for the water to support the continued existence of the oysters in the apalachicola bay.

d
the author discusses the debate by proving that georgia’s need for water for the citizens of atlanta is more important than florida’s need to support the oysters of apalachicola bay or alabama’s reliance on river barge transportation.