Cahaba River
Encyclopedia
The Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama
and is among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the United States
. The Cahaba River is a major tributary of the Alabama River
and part of the larger Mobile River
Basin. With headwaters near Birmingham
, the Cahaba meanders to the southwest, then at Heiberger
turns southeast and joins the Alabama River at Cahaba
, in Dallas County
. Contained entirely within central Alabama, the Cahaba River is 194 miles (312.2 km) long and drains an area of 1870 square miles (4,843.3 km²).
was founded at the mouth of the Cahaba River in 1819, as the first provisional capital of Alabama, and was a center of riverboat commerce on the Alabama River
until sometime after the Civil War
.
the Cahaba are home to more than 131 species of freshwater fishes (18 of which have been found in no other river system), 40 species of mussels, and 35 species of snails. Sixty-nine of these animal species are endangered. Among the countless plant species that thrive in and around the Cahaba is the beautiful Cahaba Lily
. As a result, a portion of the Cahaba River, near West Blocton
, has been designated as the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
.
metropolitan area. It serves as the source of drinking water in the upper course for over 1 million people and is also a popular canoeing
destination. Pressure to develop the land around the Cahaba presents a growing threat to the health of the river.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and is among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Cahaba River is a major tributary of the Alabama River
Alabama River
The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about north of Montgomery.The river flows west to Selma, then southwest until, about from Mobile, it unites with the Tombigbee, forming the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, which discharge into...
and part of the larger Mobile River
Mobile River
The Mobile River is located in southern Alabama in the United States. Formed out of the confluence of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers, the approximately river drains an area of of Alabama, with a watershed extending into Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee. Its drainage basin is the...
Basin. With headwaters near Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, the Cahaba meanders to the southwest, then at Heiberger
Heiberger, Alabama
Heiberger, Alabama is a small settlement located about 10 miles north of Marion in Perry County, Alabama. It is best known for being the birthplace of civil rights leader Coretta Scott King.-References:...
turns southeast and joins the Alabama River at Cahaba
Cahaba, Alabama
Cahaba, also spelled Cahawba, was the first permanent state capital of Alabama from 1820 to 1825. It is now a ghost town and state historic site. The site is located in Dallas County, southwest of Selma.-Capital:...
, in Dallas County
Dallas County, Alabama
Dallas County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander J. Dallas. The county seat is Selma.- History :...
. Contained entirely within central Alabama, the Cahaba River is 194 miles (312.2 km) long and drains an area of 1870 square miles (4,843.3 km²).
History
The town of CahawbaCahaba, Alabama
Cahaba, also spelled Cahawba, was the first permanent state capital of Alabama from 1820 to 1825. It is now a ghost town and state historic site. The site is located in Dallas County, southwest of Selma.-Capital:...
was founded at the mouth of the Cahaba River in 1819, as the first provisional capital of Alabama, and was a center of riverboat commerce on the Alabama River
Alabama River
The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about north of Montgomery.The river flows west to Selma, then southwest until, about from Mobile, it unites with the Tombigbee, forming the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, which discharge into...
until sometime after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Natural history
Hymenocallis coronaria
Hymenocallis coronaria is a species of the genus Hymenocallis, native to the Southeastern United States. It is an aquatic, perennial flowering plant found only in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina...
. As a result, a portion of the Cahaba River, near West Blocton
West Blocton, Alabama
West Blocton is a town in Bibb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,372.- Geography :West Blocton is located at ....
, has been designated as the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,577 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in central Alabama, along the Cahaba River downstream from Birmingham, Alabama. The refuge was established on September 25, 2002. Additional purchases were approved that will potentially increase the size of...
.
Water use
The Cahaba flows through heavily populated areas in the BirminghamBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
metropolitan area. It serves as the source of drinking water in the upper course for over 1 million people and is also a popular canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
destination. Pressure to develop the land around the Cahaba presents a growing threat to the health of the river.
Major cities
A number of Alabama cities lie on the banks of or in close proximity to the Cahaba River. They include:- BirminghamBirmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
– Cahaba forms at headwaters - HooverHoover, AlabamaHoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
– Cahaba meanders to southwest - HelenaHelena, AlabamaHelena is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Greater Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan area. It is also one of three cities, along with Alabaster and Pelham, that make up the area known as "North Shelby" or...
– Cahaba meanders southwest - CentrevilleCentreville, AlabamaCentreville is a city in Bibb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,466. The city is the county seat of Bibb County.-Geography:According to the U.S...
– Cahaba meanders southwest - HeibergerHeiberger, AlabamaHeiberger, Alabama is a small settlement located about 10 miles north of Marion in Perry County, Alabama. It is best known for being the birthplace of civil rights leader Coretta Scott King.-References:...
– Cahaba turns 90 degrees to southeast - MarionMarion, AlabamaMarion is the county seat of Perry County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,511. First called Muckle Ridge, the city was renamed after a hero of the American Revolution, Francis Marion.-Geography:...
– Cahaba meanders southeast (east of Marion) - SelmaSelma, AlabamaSelma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
– Cahaba meanders southeast (west of Selma) - CahabaCahaba, AlabamaCahaba, also spelled Cahawba, was the first permanent state capital of Alabama from 1820 to 1825. It is now a ghost town and state historic site. The site is located in Dallas County, southwest of Selma.-Capital:...
– Joins the Alabama RiverAlabama RiverThe Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about north of Montgomery.The river flows west to Selma, then southwest until, about from Mobile, it unites with the Tombigbee, forming the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, which discharge into...
at the 1st permanent State Capital, now a state historic site
Tributaries
There are numerous small tributaries, including:- Buck CreekBuck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)Buck Creek is a tributary of the Cahaba River that was used to supply water power for manufacturing and industry during the 19th century. Its current use is primarily recreational and as a discharge point for municipal water treatment facilities.-Route:...
, northwest of Helena - Little Cahaba River (of Shelby County), flowing into the Cahaba from the southeast by Cahaba Heights
- Little Cahaba River (of Bibb County), entering from the east some miles north of Centreville
Advocates
- The Cahaba River Society is Alabama’s largest watershed conservation organization and is recognized nationally for river stewardship. CRS’s success is due to a balanced, science-based, and inclusive approach. Its mission is to restore and protect the Cahaba River watershed and its rich diversity of life.
- The Nature Conservancy Sustainable Waters Program The Sustainable Waters Program works with a range of partners to address freshwater issues relating to farms, energy, cities and floodplains.
- The Cahaba River Basin Clean Water Partnership mission is to identify issues, explore solutions, and make recommendations for the management and stewardship of the Cahaba River basin while maintaining the balance between protecting the environment and promoting the economy.
- The Alabama Rivers Alliance works to unite the citizens of Alabama to protect peoples right to clean, healthy, waters.
- Alabama Water Watch is dedicated to volunteer citizen monitoring of water quality in Alabama Rivers.
- The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, the regional governing body for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in central Alabama, is developing a camp and conference center on the Cahaba River called Living River. PSL is working diligently to develop this center in an environmentally sound way, and to protect the river. PSL helped remove the Marvel Slab in partnership with many other organizations, which helped a large portion of the river return to its natural, free flowing state.