The South River is a
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
accessed April 21, 2011 tributary of the
Ocmulgee River
The Ocmulgee River () is a western tributary of the Altamaha River, approximately 255 mi (410 km) long, in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the westernmost major tributary of the Altamaha.[U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...]
of
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States
Georgia may also refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
. It originates in the city of
East Point in
Fulton County and eventually flows into
Lake Jackson, joining the
Yellow River
The Yellow River, also known as Huanghe, is the second-longest river in China and the List of rivers by length, sixth-longest river system on Earth, with an estimated length of and a Drainage basin, watershed of . Beginning in the Bayan H ...
and
Alcovy River to form the Ocmulgee.
The present name "South River" is derived from shortening and alteration of the original name ''South Branch Ocmulgee River''.
In 2021, non-profit American Rivers placed the South River fourth on its list of
America's Most Endangered Rivers, citing "the egregious threat that ongoing sewage pollution poses to clean water and public health."
River course
The river daylights just north of
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its Metro Atlanta, surrounding metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is located south of the Down ...
, in the city of
East Point, Georgia
East Point is a suburban city located southwest of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,358. The city name is derived from being at the opposite end o ...
. It proceeds to flow in a southeasterly direction through suburbs of Atlanta, eventually flowing into
Jackson Lake. The mean flow on the river is 1380cfs, with a mean gauge height of .
The most notable rapid on the river is Snapping Shoals, located on the county line between
Henry County and
Newton County. The shoal is classified as Class III rapids.
The dam immediately before Snapping Shoals was once used as a hydro-electric production plant to power a local machine shop.
See also
*
List of rivers of Georgia
References
*
*USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Georgia (1974)
Rivers of Georgia (U.S. state)
Rivers of Fulton County, Georgia
Rivers of DeKalb County, Georgia
Rivers of Butts County, Georgia
Rivers of Newton County, Georgia
Rivers of Henry County, Georgia
Rivers of Rockdale County, Georgia
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