Flat Creek is a tributary to the upper Flint River located in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Project partners, including American Rivers, are working to identify changes to reservoir management that have historically restricted river flows during critical dry periods of the year. The final project will ensure that future dam release operations will continue to meet community needs while sustaining healthy streamflow conditions, stream and floodplain habitat and species of concern during critical low flow periods.
State / Province: Georgia
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Sawhatchee Creek Sedimentation Abatement and Riparian Repair
In partnership with the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council along with US Fish and Wildlife Service, this project will continue to work with farmers along Sawahatchee Creek to implement best management practices. Management measures include Stream and riparian stability, along with erosion protection and abatement — these practices will reduce soil loss and sedimentation from leeching into the watershed. This project will focus on a road/stream intersect riparian restoration, along a 1 (one) mile section of Sawhatchee Creek, with the goal to correct slope erosion and protect critical habitat for the federally listed mussel species.
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Green Streets Clean Streams II Metro Atlanta
Since 2020 Trees Atlanta has been working with communities to design install and maintain 22 stormwater tree planters (rain gardens) at 11 distinct residential locations in Fulton County targeting Proctor Creek and Utoy Creek watersheds.
These green infrastructure installations are not only capturing and managing stormwater runoff from the adjacent roadway, thereby influencing the quantity and quality of runoff that reaches waterways; they are also enhancing Atlanta’s urban canopy, reducing flooding, enhancing property values and making a significant difference in the lives of residents in underserved communities.
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Howard Coffin Park Living Shoreline Project
Georgia Conservancy will implement this living shoreline project to combat erosion along the tidal stream’s banks using bioengineered materials and native vegetation. By promoting oyster recruitment and natural stabilization, the project will restore ecological function while preserving the park’s recreational and community value. Additionally, it will protect a nearby water supply wellhouse from further erosion. As a recommended action in the Shoreline Protection Implementation Plan, the project aligns with the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative’s goal to expand living shorelines. Expected benefits include habitat restoration, improved water quality, community resilience, and educational outreach.
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Amana Academy Bioswale
Amana Academy serves nearly 800 students in grades K-8. The school focuses on project-based learning, design-thinking, and hands-on education, with an emphasis on outdoor learning. However, the large asphalt parking lot and outdated design presented safety challenges for students and families. After extensive planning with the City of Alpharetta and Goode Van Slyke Architects, the school decided to renovate the parking lot, incorporating green infrastructure like a bioswale to manage stormwater runoff. This environmentally friendly design will not only improve safety and aesthetics but also enhance the school’s STEM curriculum, offering students a real-world example of environmental stewardship.
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Chattahoochee RiverLands Gateway Park
The Trust for Public Land and partners, Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Trust for Public Land (TPL), Cobb County, and the City of Atlanta designed and constructed 100 miles of RiverLands trails, pedestrian parks, trailheads, and kayak launches along the Chattahoochee RiverLands. Our support of the project will add 3-miles of the greenway that will link metro Atlanta to RiverLands spaces. This project is a delicate balance of activation and conservation, the RiverLands seeks to introduce the metro-Atlanta region to its greatest ecological asset, the Chattahoochee River. The park’s construction will include wetland restoration, capturing water from neighboring industrial complexes, removing invasive species, and restoring woodlands, grasslands, and the riparian corridor for improved wildlife habitat.