Milestones

Some of RiverWarden’s accomplishments and activities since our formation include:

  • Met with GA Governor Nathan Deal to discuss five water policy issues that affect the middle Chattahoochee Valley and the river
  • Commented on the Middle Chattahoochee Water Plan that was adopted by the State of Georgia
  • Led a strong public campaign that helped defeat a proposed construction and demolition landfill in Russell County, AL  The site was located less than a mile from the Chattahoochee River in porous soils, engineering designs were inadequate, and public health was potentially at risk.
  • Started a water quality monitoring programing partnership with GA Adopt-A-Stream and Alabama Water Watch. Forty volunteers have been trained and QA/QC certified in stream monitoring. Chattahoochee RiverWarden has adopted and is actively engaged in regular chemical and bacteria monitoring of 15 tributaries to the river.
  • Partnered with Auburn University and Alabama Clean Water Partnership on the Mill Creek and Holland Creek restoration project
  • Partnered with Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center on a Wild and Scenic Film Festival as part of Earth Day Celebration
  • Participated in AFLAC Earth Day event
  • Participated in Columbus State University’s Sustainability Week Program
  • Internship program with Columbus State University students in the Masters of Public Administration and Masters of Environmental Science program
  • Regularly speak at schools and civic organizations on water issues that affect the Chattahoochee River valley community
  • Currently working with the Lake Harding Homeowner’s Association to unify and better understand the ongoing hydro-power relicensing procedure
  • Partnering with Georgia Power Company on environmental and recreational enhancements to Bartlett’s Ferry project
  • Organizing a Lake Harding Lake Watch group to monitor water quality and promote pro-active lake advocacy for the protection of the resource

Membership and  participation in the following organizations: Columbus GA Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center- Advisory Board, Coalition for Sound  Growth,  Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) Stakeholders, Chattahoochee-Chipola Clean Water Partnership, Georgia River Network, Georgia Water Coalition, Alabama Department of Environmental Management Reform Coalition, Middle Chattahoochee Water Coalition, River Network & American Rivers