Kayaking offers unique perspective on the Chattahoochee
By Rosie Manins
rmanins@mdjonline.com
On any given day, thousands
of Cobb County
residents drive over the
Chattahoochee River as
they commute in and
around metro Atlanta, and
for most, that is as close to
the waterway as they get.
But kayaking on the river,
which covers 430 miles
in totality, offers a much
more relaxed journey and
a change in perspective for
those who have the time.
The Chattahoochee
River National Water Trail,
spanning 48 miles between
Buford Dam and Peachtree
Creek, is a paddlers’ paradise
that keeps several recreational
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SPORTS
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Managed by the Chattahoochee
River National
Recreation Area, the water
trail cuts through Cobb,
Fulton, Gwinnett and
Forsyth counties and also
includes over 70 miles of
hiking trails and 18 developed
access areas.
Locally, the most popular
section to enter is at
the Powers Island Unit
at 5450 Interstate North
Parkway in Marietta, right
where Interstate 285 crosses
the river.
There people can go tubing
down the river, kayak,
rent boats or access the
walking trail.
The Chattahoochee is
considered a good kayaking
river for beginners
due to its steady waters
that provide easy paddling,
with an average water
speed of three miles per
hour and just a few small
rapids around the Powers
Island area.
Bill Cox, CRNRA superintendent,
says the area is
experiencing a renewed
/growth
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