The Cahaba flows though the “heart” of Alabama and has come to be called “Alabama’s Heart River.” It originates from springs on the southern slope of Cahaba Mountain in St. Clair County, just across the Jefferson County line. The mountain streams flow into Echo Lake, then into Lake in the Woods and through other parts of Clay, joined all along by many tributaries. The river also travels through Trussville, Birmingham, Hoover and other cities, eventually making its way through eight counties and finally empties into the Alabama River. At 190 miles long, the Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama.
Features:
- Metro Birmingham’s primary source of drinking water for about 60% of Birmingham Water Works customers.
- The bed of the river in the upper portions consists of limestone, sandstone, shale and coal.
- Internationally recognized for its biodiversity, the Cahaba is home to 131 different fish species and more than 40 species of freshwater mussels and 35 species of freshwater snails, including 69 rare and imperiled species. Ten of the fish and mussel species are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. It has more species of fish per mile than any other river of its size in North America. One of the endangered species is the Cahaba shriner.
- Provides recreational benefits—canoeing, fishing and swimming
- Provides environmental education
Recognition:
In addition to the Smithsonian magazine, the Cahaba has been recognized for its biodiversity, scenic beauty and significance by the following organizations:
- The Nature Conservancy—named the Cahaba as 29th most critical for protection out of over 2,000 watersheds nationwide and as one of eight “hotspots of aquatic biodiversity” in the U.S. that must be saved.
- The Coca-Cola Company and the World Wildlife Fund—formed an international partnership for protection of the Cahaba.
- The Sierra Club—in September 2007, designated the Cahaba River as Alabama’s “most important places to protect within the next 10 years.”
- National Geographic College Atlas of the World—listed, along with other southeastern rivers, as one of the six global examples of biological diversity.
More about the Cahaba River:
- Read an introduction to the Cahaba River.
- Read about the historical marker just outside of Clay that recognizes the importance of the Cahaba River.
- Read about the impact pollution has had on the Cahaba River.
- Read about the City of Clay efforts to protect the Cahaba River.
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About the Cahaba River
