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

The Etowah River begins near the beginning of the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Upper Etowah watershed is 610 square miles running through the counties of Lumpkin, Dawson, Pickens, Forsythe and Cherokee and it eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico near Mobile, AL. Limestone Valley was one of the founding members of the Upper Etowah River Alliance founded in 1998 with a goal of identifying residents' needs and concerns, and to protect the river ecosystem and water quality for the future.

The river contains 91 native fish species and 14 introduced species; of which 13 native fishes are considered endangered or threatened with 4 species found no where else in the world. Additionally, 15 species of fish have already disappeared from the watershed. Historically, the Etowah contained 51 mussel species but it is estimated 65% have already been eliminated from the ecosystem.

The watershed faces many problems considering the rate of population growth and development in the area. Some of the areas of concern include suspended sediments (sand, silt, clay), bacteria (fecal coliform), fertilizers, trace metals, and pesticides. Join with the Alliance in efforts to preserve water quality and ensure a beautiful river for future generations. Visit their site or email the Alliance director Diane Minick at dianeminick@msn.com.