Columbus, Georgia, Transforms Industrial Riverfront into Major Whitewater Rafting Destination
Columbus, Georgia, has successfully transformed a 2.5-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River, previously defined by industrial dams, into a prominent urban whitewater rafting course. This ambitious project involved the removal of two historic dams, the City Mills dam (built in 1828) and the Eagle & Phenix dam (built in 1882), which had supported industrial activity for generations. The removal of these dams, particularly the Eagle & Phenix dam in March 2013, allowed for the restoration of natural water flow and the creation of a diverse set of rapids, ranging from Class III+ to Class V. The course, which opened for test trips in May 2013, is now described by Whitewater Express as the world's longest urban whitewater rafting course. It operates alongside Uptown Columbus, forming the boundary between Georgia and Alabama, and features a Waveshaper structure that allows operators to adjust wave characteristics for different paddling experiences. The North Highlands dam, located 2.5 miles upstream, regulates w...