Cartecay River facts for kids
The Cartecay River is a beautiful river in Georgia, USA. It flows for about 19.1-mile-long (30.7 km) (around 30.7 kilometers) before joining another river in the town of Ellijay. This river is known for its fun and exciting "whitewater" sections, which are popular for outdoor activities.
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Where is the Cartecay River?
The Cartecay River is mostly found in the southeastern part of Gilmer County, Georgia. However, small parts of the area it drains, called its watershed, also reach into nearby Fannin, Pickens, and Dawson counties.
The river starts high up in the Chattahoochee National Forest. This is where its "headwaters" are, meaning the very beginning of the river. From there, it mostly flows from east to west.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is like a giant bowl or area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common river, lake, or ocean. The Cartecay River's watershed covers a large area of about 86,734 acres (351.0 km2) (or 351 square kilometers). This means all the water that falls on this land eventually makes its way into the Cartecay River.
River Friends: Tributaries
Along its journey, the Cartecay River is joined by several smaller streams. These smaller streams are called "tributaries." They add more water to the main river. Some of the Cartecay River's main tributaries include Clear Creek, Licklog Creek, Owltown Creek, Anderson Creek, and Tickanetley Creek.
Fun on the Cartecay River
The Cartecay River is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures! It's especially popular for activities that involve floating on the water.
- Kayaking: Many people enjoy paddling down the river in kayaks, which are small, narrow boats.
- Canoeing: Canoes are another popular choice for exploring the river. They are usually larger than kayaks and can hold more than one person.
- Tubing: For a more relaxed trip, people often float down the river on inflatable tubes. It's a great way to cool off and enjoy the scenery.
The river has sections known as "Class II whitewater." This means the water has some exciting rapids with small waves and clear channels. It's perfect for people who are new to whitewater activities but still want a bit of a thrill!
What's Around the River?
Even though the Cartecay River flows through some areas with homes, most of the land around it is still undeveloped. This helps keep the river and its surroundings natural and beautiful. You can often see Georgia State Route 52 running alongside parts of the river.
