Coosa River Basin Initiative

SEPT. 25 ETOWAH RIVER PADDLE TRIP WILL RAISE FUNDS TO BUILD 163-MILE BOATING TRAIL

On Sept. 25, dozens of paddlers from across North Georgia and beyond will launch on the Etowah River in Dawson County to celebrate the river and raise funds to create a 163-mile-long boating trail stretching from near Dahlonega to Rome.

The Etowah River Water Trail Rodeo will feature a 9-mile paddle on the Etowah through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area. The paddle will be followed by a dinner provided by Big D’s Barbecue in Dawsonville, a silent and live auction and a kayak giveaway from The Outside World.

Cost of the event is $75 per person (or $130 per couple) and includes complimentary canoe or kayak rentals courtesy of Appalachian Outfitters and Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI), dinner, shuttle services, a chance to win a new kayak and a complimentary copy of the Etowah River User’s Guide, a comprehensive guide to the entire river.

Proceeds from the benefit will be used to assist local communities in promoting and building the Etowah River Water Trail. The registration deadline is Sept. 21.

The event begins at 1 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m. at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.coosa.org/events/etowah-river-water-trail-rodeo

“The route through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area is one of the most scenic and historic sections of the Etowah,” said Joe Cook of CRBI, a non-profit organization based in Rome that is leading a group of stakeholders in facilitating creation of the trail. “The land now preserved as the WMA once housed the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Lab where Air Force contractors tried to build a nuclear-powered airplane.”

The stakeholders group, consisting of representatives from local governments, convention and visitors bureaus, private businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals has worked for the past four years to create the water trail.

At the event, organizers plan to unveil new Etowah River Water Trail information kiosks that will be installed at River Park on Ga. 9 and at Kelly Bridge Road. The kiosks feature maps of the river, historic information about the region and safety information.

Sponsors of the Etowah River Water Trail Rodeo include Big D’s Barbecue, Appalachian Outfitters, The Outside World and CRBI.

CRBI is a 501c3 non profit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to inform and empower citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JOE COOK AT 706-409-0128 or email at [email protected]