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The Tallapoosa River runs U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map , accessed April 27, 2011 from the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, United States, southward and westward into the Appalachian foothills in Alabama. It is formed by the confluence of McClendon Creek and Mud Creek in Paulding County, Georgia. Lake Martin at Dadeville, Alabama is a large and popular water recreation area formed by a dam on the river. The Tallapoosa joins the Coosa River about northeast of Montgomery near Wetumpka (in Elmore County) to form the Alabama River.
There are four hydroelectric dams on the Tallapoosa: Yates, Thurlow, Martin and Harris dams. They are important sources of electricity generation for Alabama Power (a unit of the Southern Company) and recreation for the public.
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, a United States National Military Park managed by the National Park Service, is located along the banks of the Tallapoosa River just upstream from Lake Martin.[2] National Park Service; Horseshoe Bend National Military Park; Directions It preserves a battle site associated with the Creek War.
The river below Thurlow Dam provides a short run of outstanding Class II, III and IV whitewater kayaking.
Tallapoosa, Georgia is named for the river, which runs near the town.
There are four hydroelectric dams on the Tallapoosa River: Yates Dam, Thurlow Dam, Martin Dam, and R.L. Harris Dam.
The table below outlines the four impoundments (dams) on the Tallapoosa River from south to north.
| Lake Thurlow (Lower Tallasee Dam) | Lake Thurlow was impounded in 1930. Thurlow Dam was built in Tallassee at the site of an early 19th-century textile mill. During the Civil War it was converted to operate as a uniform and ammunition plant. The Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge spans the river immediately south of Thurlow Dam. | |
| Lake Yates (Upper Tallasee Dam) | Lake Yates was impounded July 1, 1928 and named for Eugene A. Yates, the Chief Engineer for Alabama Power dam building, who was hired in 1912. The nearest town is Tallassee, Alabama. Alabama Power maintains one public access site here. | |
| Lake Martin | Lake Martin was impounded December 31, 1926 and named for Thomas Martin. He was president of Alabama Power Company from 1920 to 1949, and chief executive officer from 1949 to 1963. The lake impounds 44,000 acres (160 km2) with 700 miles (1000 km) of shoreline. The nearest town is Dadeville, Alabama. Lake Martin is an Alabama Power lake with a 154,200-kilowatt generating capacity. It is a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, Alabama bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass and white bass. Alabama Power maintains eleven public access sites on the lake. | |
| Lake R. L. Harris (Lake Wedowee) | Lake R. L. Harris Lake was impounded April 20, 1983 and named for Rother L. "Judge" Harris, an Alabama Power director and vice president of electric operations. The lake covers 10,600 acres (43 km2) with 271 miles (436 km) of shoreline. The nearest town is Lineville, Alabama. R. L. Harris is an Alabama Power lake with a 135,000-kilowatt generating capacity. It is a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid and white bass. Alabama Power maintains six public access sites on the lake. | |
| Headwaters to H.L. Harris Dam | Little Tallapoosa River |
| H.L. Harris Dam to Martin Dam | Emuckfaw Creek, Sandy Creek, Wind Creek, Chikasanoxee Creek, Hillabee Creek |
| Martin Dam to Yates Dam | Saugahatchee Creek |
| Yates Dam to Thurlow Dam | No Major Tributaries |
| Thurlow Dam to Coosa River Confluence | Tumcheehatchee Creek, Chubbehatchee Creek, Cubahatchee Creek, Calabee Creek, Line Creek |
The Alabama Rivers Alliance works to unite the citizens of Alabama to protect peoples right to clean, healthy, waters. Alabama Rivers Alliance Website
Alabama Water Watch is dedicated to volunteer citizen monitoring of water quality in Alabama Rivers. Water Watch Website
The Alabama Power Foundation is a non-profit foundation providing grants for watershed, environmental and community projects along the Tallapoosa River and within the state of Alabama
The Coosa River Basin Initiative is a grassroots environmental organization with the mission of informing and empowering citizens so that they may become involved in the process of creating a clean, healthy and economically viable Coosa River Basin.
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