Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and
Development Council, Inc.
125 Red Bud Rd. NE, Suite 7
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: 706 625 7044       Fax: 706 625 9943      Email: dec@lvrcd.org

Limestone Valley secured a grant from the NRCS in 1995 to study the Conasauga River which resulted in citizens providing concerns and challenges facing the watershed. A cooperative group of citizens, businesses, and governments at all levels joined forces to protect the river and formed the Conasauga River Alliance.

The Conasauga starts in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia and descends north into Tennessee, then flows back into Georgia for the remainder of its 90 mile length. It comprises approximately 730 square miles in Bradley and Polk county in Tennessee and Murray & Whitfield in Georgia.

There are over 90 species of fish (including non native) and 42 species of fresh water mussels and numerous snails, crayfish, etc.. There are more types of aquatic animals found in this small watershed than in all of Europe. Today, 3 fishes and 9 mussels are considered threatened or endangered. The Conasauga logperch is found in one 15-mile section of the river and no where else in the world. The river is not only great for recreation, but also is a major source of drinking water for Dalton and parts of Murray and Whitfield counties. Join with the Alliance in addressing the 3 primary challenges affecting water quality; accelerated erosion, toxic chemicals and excessive nutrients and bacteria. Contact the alliance director, Frank Sagona at fjsagona@aol.com, for futher information.