Alabama & Georgia on Path to Resolve Water War?

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is cautiously optimistic about the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Agreement recently announced by the Governors of Alabama and Georgia and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is optimistic because the proposal establishes clear expectations the two states have agreed upon after decades of conflict over how to share water. Since the 1990s, one of the initial strategies to resolve the “water wars” was an agreement on how much water was enough to sustain the states’ and Chattahoochee River’s future. This agreement does just that.  

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is cautious because we are still learning about the details of the agreement.  We have not evaluated the full implications or possible impacts of the proposed “flow objectives” on Columbus (GA), Columbia (AL), and other parts of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.  Additionally, we want to ensure any changes to the Corps’ Water Control Manual do not result in changes to existing flow requirements, including a minimum flow requirement of 750 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Peachtree Creek. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has historically advocated for a more protective minimum flow requirement at this location to ensure water quality standards are met downstream. 

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper looks forward to actively engaging in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ public and environmental review of the proposed agreement’s flow objectives. We will work to ensure the river and its communities continue to have sustainable access to clean and plentiful water into a future shaped by the impacts of climate change.

Further Reading:

Georgia and Alabama propose a deal to settle their water war over the Chattahoochee River (Associated Press)

Georgia, Alabama reach deal to end years-long ‘water wars’ dispute (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Advocates hopeful after Georgia, Alabama officials announce plan to settle water war outside court (Georgia Recorder)

Columbus’ water worries are over thanks to landmark Chattahoochee River deal with Alabama (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)