Georgia's Water Resources by Joseph Wilson

Weather vs. Climate

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:04:00 UTC

Climate refers to the type of weather a region experiences over a long period of time, Weather refers to the day-to-day conditions and changes in the atmosphere. Climate is determined by location from the equator, location in relation to major bodies of water, elevation, and types of landforms.

Water Cycle

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:06:46 UTC

The Origin and Destination of Georgia's Rivers

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:30:49 UTC

Why? ...Because of the drop in surface elevation from north to south. Georgia as a whole slopes toward the southeast. Rivers and streams are pulled toward the sea, much like water flowing down a giant water slide. The Eastern Continental Divide runs along the Blue Ridge, separating the rivers that flow east to the Atlantic Ocean from those that flow west to the Gulf of Mexico.

Average Precipitation

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:37:22 UTC

Georgia's Major Lakes

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:38:59 UTC

What do you notice about the location of the majority of Georgia's lakes?

Ground water sources

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:41:21 UTC

There are two types of aquifers. One is found near the earth’s surface. It extends from the water table—the upper limit of water-saturated soil—down to the first dense, nonporous layer of earth. To obtain well water from this aquifer, an electric pump must be used to bring the water to the surface. A second and deeper type of aquifer is found in some parts of Georgia. This is the artesian aquifer.

It is a porous layer of earth located between two denser layers. With nowhere to escape, water trapped in an artesian aquifer is under pressure. If a well is drilled into the aquifer, water will rise, perhaps even reaching the surface without the need for a pump.

Georgia's Early Towns

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:43:35 UTC

Millions of years ago during the Mesozoic Era, the Fall Line was once Georgia’s coastline. This means that today’s Coastal Plains region was once covered by ocean. Now, what we recognize as Georgia’s Fall Line is about 20-miles wide, runs northeast across the state, and creates a geological boundary between the Coastal Plains and Piedmont regions. Quick drops in elevation along the Fall Line help create waterfalls and fast moving rivers that historically were good for powering mills and machinery. During the 1800s, rivers in the South transported goods from the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico to what were known as “Fall Line Cities,” making Columbus, Macon, and Augusta important transportation hubs in Georgia.

Water and Agriculture Video

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-07-29 17:47:47 UTC

360 view of the Lake Allatoona Dam

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 12:43:24 UTC

The lake-building era in Georgia began with the arrival of the age of electricity. Georgians built dams in order to convert flowing river water into electricity. In the process, many reservoirs were created. Dams and reservoirs serve other purposes as well. They prevent floods, supply water to nearby cities, and provide downstream navigation. They are important to fish and wildlife conservation and to recreation.

Georgia's Climate

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 12:51:49 UTC

1. Georgia’s climate is mainly determined by geographic location. It is near the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern edge of the continent. Ocean currents tend to keep the temperatures more stable on land.

2. These factors, combined with Georgia’s closeness to the Equator, result in a climate of hot summers, mild winters, and, in most years, abundant rainfall throughout most of the state.

3. Additionally, Georgia's elevation climbs from sea level to about 5,000 feet. The higher the elevation above sea level, the cooler the air is. This is why areas in the hills and mountain are typically cooler and get more precipitation than other parts of the state.

Average Temperatures

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:13:07 UTC

Aquifers in Georgia

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:22:44 UTC

South of the Fall Line, water for cities, irrigation, and other uses comes primarily from groundwater in artesian aquifers.

North of the Fall Line, however, the earth is different. Instead of a porous soil, the surface has more clay and rock, which is less able to absorb rainfall. Because the surface is hilly, water runs off it, and less sinks into the ground than if the land were flat.

Georgia's River Basins

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:36:29 UTC

Georgia is fortunate to have 20,000 miles of rivers and streams. Rivers determined Georgia’s original boundaries and affected the location of its settlements. With few exceptions, Georgia rivers generally flow from north to south.

Droughts

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:41:04 UTC

Native American Transportation

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:43:47 UTC

For about 100 years, Georgians generally followed transportation routes first used by Native Americans. Why do you think trading routes generally ran east and west?

Steamboats

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-01 14:47:15 UTC

Steamboats were important to Georgia's river transportation system. They navigated the Savannah, Chattahoochee, and Altamaha rivers during the 1800s, carrying both goods and passengers. Steamboats also supported trade within the state and beyond. Understandably, steamboats were an important factor in Georgia's economic growth, until the innovations of railroads and modern transportation became more efficient and cost effective.

Downtown Augusta flooded, 1912

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-10 22:01:11 UTC

Chattahoochee River

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-10 23:32:06 UTC

Savannah River

jwilson54hendricks — 2025-08-10 23:34:51 UTC