In northwest Georgia, the Oostanaula River is formed where the Conasauga River joins the Coosawttee. Crossing north-central Georgia, the Etowah River joins the Oostanaula in Rome to form the Coosa River. These waters are exceptionally rich; northwest Georgia is one of America’s richest regions in aquatic life. Many rare and imperiled species inhabit these rivers. The waterways of the Coosa Basin are home to at least five fish species found nowhere else in the world, a number of federally endangered freshwater mussels, and a wide range of ecologically important aquatic life.

Unfortunately, northwest Georgia is also experiencing rapid growth, resulting in development that threatens the health of these ecosystems and their inhabitants. Building on our work in the Conasauga and Etowah rivers, The Nature Conservancy is expanding its efforts to the broader Coosa Basin. Working with a wide array of partners, the Conservancy strives to protect the waterways of the Coosa Basin through land acquisition and protection agreements and diverse management practices, including the control of nonnative invasive species, monitoring of important populations, and limiting incompatible development. 

Nature picture credits (left to right): Etowah River © Mark Godfrey/TNC;  Freshwater mussels © Nate Thomas.