ACF River Basin
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The ACF River Basin refers to the watershed of the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin, in the USA, which begins in northern Georgia and flows into the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola Bay, near Apalachicola, Florida. The basin drains an area of more than 19,300 square miles (50,000 km²).[1]
Both states, as well as Alabama, have been involved in a water-use dispute for several years, mainly over the ever-increasing amount of water taken for metro Atlanta's suburban sprawl of lawns, pavement, sewage, and other pollution.[1][2] Georgia has also lobbied Congress to end navigation on the Appalachicola and lower Chattahoochee, to conserve more water during droughts. Keeping the two rivers at a navigable depth during these times requires large releases from dams upstream, sending potential drinking water dowstream for shipping, and often dropping lakes to levels dangerous to boaters.
Other concerns include harvests of oysters in Apalachicola Bay, which require a large enough flow of fresh water to prevent excessive saltwater intrusion from the Gulf.[3] The cost of dredging silt, much of it from uncontrolled growth across metro Atlanta's fine red clay soil, has also been called wasteful to float so little ship traffic.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Richter, Brian D.; Mathews, Ruth Harrison, David L. and Wigington, Robert (Feb 2003). "Ecologically Sustainable Water Management: Managing River Flows For Ecological Integrity". Ecological Applications 13 (1): 206–224. Retrieved on 2007-02-14.
- ^ Edgens, Jefferson G (Spring 2001). "Thirst for growth". Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy 16 (1): 14-8. Retrieved on 2007-02-14.
- ^ Wilber, DH (August 1992). "Association Between Freshwater Inflows and Oyster Productivity in Apalachicola Bay, Florida". Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 35 (2): 179-190. Retrieved on 2007-02-14.
- ^ Florida Department of Environmental Protection (2003-07-30). Florida Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Apalachicola River: Officials call for end to dredging. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-02-14.
