The 2019 season will focus on the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers of central Georgia.
The exact sections of these rivers we'll be running is not yet determined. We know that we'll be somewhere below the fall line and above the confluence of the Altamaha. We are on the water all the time, actively scouting sections for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more information.
The OcMULGEE River
The Ocmulgee River above Lumber City
The Ocmulgee is a 255 mile long tributary of the Altamaha River. It is formed at the confluence of the Yellow, South and Alcovy Rivers. Since the construction of Lloyd Shoals Dam, these three rivers join as arms of Lake Jackson. The Ocmulgee flows from the dam, thru Macon and over the fall-line until it joins the Oconee River near Lumber City to form the Altamaha River.
There are many sandbars and oxbow lakes along the Ocmulgee. The forest bottomland swamp that surrounds the river helps create a remote wilderness setting, often miles wide. There is a diverse array of local fish that inhabit the river, over 105 species in 21 familes.
Ocmulgee River
Archeological evidence suggests that humans first inhabited the Ocmulgee basin around 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Europeans first explored the area in 1540, during the expedition of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. The Spanish visited the chiefdom of Ichisi, identified by archeologists as located on the floodplain south of Macon, GA.
During the 19th century, the Ocmulgee was a principal mode of transportation for goods to and from Macon. It helped in the development of the cotton industry in the area. The first steamboat arrived on the river in 1829. More soon followed and they were relied upon to transport goods until construction of the railroads.
The Oconee River
The Oconee River below Milledgeville
The Oconee River is a 220 mile long tributary of the Altamaha River. Its headwaters are in Hall County, GA. The Oconee River is formed at the confluence of the North Oconee and Middle Oconee rivers, just south of Athens, GA. About 20 miles after it is formed, the Oconee flows into Lake Oconee and then Lake Sinclair. The Oconee river below Sinclair Dam flows freely for over 140 miles to its confluence with the Ocmulgee to form the Altamaha near Lumber City, GA.
Oconee River
There are many sandbars and oxbows lakes along the river. The forest bottomland swamp surrounding the Oconee can at times stretch for miles. This helps create a very remote wilderness setting by limiting development along the river.
The river provided power and trade routes to many early settlers. The prosperous mills of Athens and Milledgeville were powered by the river. It also served as an important trade route and means of transportation before the creation of the railroads.