Geographic Description

The Headwaters region encompasses the upstream portion of the Chattahoochee River Basin, defined as the area above Buford Dam and Lake Lanier, and comprises a 1036 square mile land area. This important area of the basin is where the Chattahoochee and many of its tributaries originate as small mountain springs and streams in the Blue Ridge physiographic region.

The Chattahoochee River Basin upstream of Buford Dam includes Lake Lanier and parts of six counties including White, Habersham, Lumpkin, Dawson, Forsyth and Hall. The Chattahoochee and its headwater tributaries (including the sub-watersheds of the Soque and Chestatee Rivers) support reproducing populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout. The primary water quality problems in the Headwaters region are due to erosion and sedimentation, elevated fecal coliform, increased temperatures and nutrient levels.

Tributaries

The Chattahoochee River originates just off of the Appalachian Trail in the North Georgia Mountains within the Chattahoochee National Forest. National Forest lands encompass the very upstream portion of the basin, and provide excellent recreation opportunities including fishing and hiking.

Many Headwaters tributaries such as Dukes, Dicks, Boggs, Jasus Creeks and others are defined by the state as trout streams, meaning they are cold enough (generally below 70 degrees) to support either reproducing and/or stocked trout. Trout streams are afforded extra protection by the state under the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act. To see a list and map of Georgia's trout streams by county, go to the Department of Natural Resources web page and look under fishing regulations.

Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier, one of fourteen mainstem reservoirs on the Chattahoochee River, is the first major impoundment on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system. Lake Lanier is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers