Junior

Ranger

National Park Service Chattahoochee River U.S. Department of the Interior

National Recreation Area
Contents

Welcome ..........................................................................................................................2

Better Safe Than Sorry......................................................................................................4

Keeping Our River Clean ..................................................................................................8

Park Recreation ..............................................................................................................10

Plant ldentification..........................................................................................................12

Map Your Course ..........................................................................................................16

Life in the Park ..............................................................................................................18

American lndians............................................................................................................20

A Look lnside the Mills ..................................................................................................22

A Maze of History ..........................................................................................................26

Your National Park System..............................................................................................28

Printing of the Junior Ranger was made possible through the generous support

of Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism.
1

Junior Ranger

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Georgia

This Junior Ranger Booklet Belongs to:

Name

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

1978 Island Ford Parkway

Sandy Springs, GA 30350

678-538-1200

http://www.nps.gov/chat

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
2

Welcome

Junior Ranger Candidate

The mission of the National Park Service is to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural

resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration

of this and future generations”. Help us continue this mission by taking only photographs and

leaving only footprints.

Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to make a difference in your national park? Then you

have what it takes to become a Junior Ranger! As a Junior Ranger, you will have the

opportunity to become a part of the past, present, and future of the Chattahoochee River

National Recreation Area. This activity book will give you a glimpse at the history of the

Chattahoochee River, get you started on identifying plants and animals, teach you how to be

safe while in the park, and much more. By learning these important park facts and helping to

preserve the beauty of the national park, you will become a valuable asset to the team of

rangers at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

How To Become a Junior Ranger

1. Complete this activity booklet.

2. Complete your Junior Ranger pledge.

3. Return your completed booklet to the

visitor contact station at the Island

Ford unit, or mail it to:

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

1978 Island Ford Parkway

Sandy Springs, GA 30350

678-538-1200

4. Receive your badge and certificate. 

Junior Ranger
3

Create your own Junior Ranger Pledge below, describing how

you will make a difference in your national park.

As a

Junior Ranger

I pledge

to preserve and protect

the Chattahoochee River

National Recreation Area by:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
4

Better Safe Than Sorry

One of the most important parts of being a Junior Ranger is being aware of potential hazards

on and around the river. Safety issues can arise from something as small as a tick or as big as

a falling tree branch.

While there are a number of venomous snakes around

the world, only one can be found within the boundaries

of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

This is the copperhead. Copperheads get their name

from the copper-like coloring of their head. The body of

a copperhead is usually a light brownish color with darker

bands that are narrow on the back and widest on the

sides. To keep from accidentally encountering a snake,

always look where you are stepping and take caution

when reaching under rocks and in holes. If you are bitten

by a copperhead, seek medical attention immediately. 

While ticks are tiny creatures, they have the potential

to cause big health problems. A few common ticks found

within the park are the black-legged tick (also known as

the deer tick), the American dog tick, and the lone star

tick. The main concern with ticks is the spread of

diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain

spotted fever. It is important to always check yourself

for ticks after you have been in the outdoors. 

Ticks

Venomous Snakes

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov to find out more

about Lyme disease. Do a search for “Lyme disease”

and click on the link for Lyme in the Best Bets box.

Image showing appearance and relative sizes of

adult male and female, nymph, and larval stages

of the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is

known to transmit Lyme disease.

Junior Ranger
5

One of the most widespread dangers throughout the

park is poison ivy. Poison ivy contains an oil called

urushiol (oo-roo-shee-awl) in its leaves, roots, and vines.

Touching these parts of the plant causes an allergic

reaction on most people. A poison ivy rash is often very

itchy and uncomfortable and intense exposure can be

serious. If you have touched poison ivy, rinse with cold

water. 

Poison ivy can be identified by its 3-leaf clusters. The

vines of poison ivy are often seen climbing high up trees.

These vines can be identified by their "hairy" appearance. 

Loose or uneven terrain along trails can be dangerous.

Climbing on and around bluffs can also lead to injuries

through slips and falls, especially when the terrain is

wet. The best way to prevent an accident is to always

stay aware of your surroundings. 

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

20 4 18 7 4 11 5 2 24 1 15 4 4

__ __ __ __ __ __ __!!! 

20 4 24 17 24 6 4

1 15 7 5 20 4 11 2 18 6 17 24

H R V O L E S F A B I T

Using the key, solve the

following cryptogram to learn

a good way to recognize

poison ivy.

Steep Rock Outcroppings

Poison Ivy

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
6

Playing it Safe On and Around the River

1. If you see something wrong in a

national park, be sure to tell a

______ .

2. ____ disease is often carried

by ticks.

3. Stay on designated ______

when hiking in the park, to keep

from getting lost.

5. It is important to check the

_______ _______ before

spending a day in the woods or

on the river. (2 words)

10. The flow of the river is also

called the _______, and can be

dangerous when strong.

11. It is important to drink plenty

of fluids during recreational

activities, to keep from

becoming __________.

13. Remember to keep your pet on a

_____ while in the park.

14. When you go for a ____, make

sure someone knows where you

will be and when you expect to

return.

Before beginning your park visit, be sure to check the weather report for the day and dress

appropriately. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing; dress in layers in case

of a temperature change. Dehydration can occur in warm or cold weather, so always drink

plenty of water and bring extra along with you. Make sure someone knows where you will be

hiking, and try to always go with a friend. It is important to stay on designated hiking trails in

the park, to prevent getting lost or hurt. Know your limits and know your surroundings. 

With water temperatures ranging from 44 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit in the Chattahoochee River,

be cautious of Hypothermia. Always wear a life jacket or P.F.D., personal flotation device.

Because of submerged rocks, murky water, and fluctuating water levels, never dive into the river.

4. _____ bottles are not

permitted on the river, as they

can become a safety hazard

when broken.

6. To deter mosquitoes and other

pests, put on ______ ______

before going outside. (2 words)

7. Poison ivy in vine form looks

_____.

8. Check your body for _____

after you have been in the

woods.

9. Protect yourself from the sun’s

harmful UV rays with

_________.

12. When riding your bicycle, be

safe by wearing a ______.

14. ___________ is caused by a

dangerously low body

temperature, after prolonged

exposure to cold.

15. Remember to always play it

____!

16. Reduce your risk of drowning

while on the river by wearing a

_ _ _. (abbr.)

Across Down

F

I

R

S

T

!

SAFETY

Junior Ranger
1 2 3

4

5

6

7 8

9 10 11

12

13 14

15 16

Be Prepared Crossword Puzzle

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 7
8

Keeping Our River Clean

A number of elements contribute to the polluted state of the Chattahoochee River, including

runoff from new construction, raw sewage, oil from automobiles, and animal waste. Not only

does this affect the plants and animals living on and around the river, but it also affects YOU!

Did you know that the Chattahoochee River is the main source of drinking water in the Atlanta

area? Did you also know that the Chattahoochee River is where most sewage in the Atlanta

area is dumped?

The Chattahoochee has had a tough run with pollution over the past few decades. In 1998,

American Rivers named the Chattahoochee the 7th most endangered river in the country due

to pollution!

Today, thanks to individuals and organizations taking an active role in protecting the

Chattahoochee River, the water is much cleaner and healthier for you and the wildlife in and

around the water.

Turbidity, E. Coli Bacteria, and Total Coliform

Bacteria are measured to determine whether the

water quality in the Chattahoochee River is good or

bad. When the turbidity is high, meaning that the

water is a muddy brown color, the bacteria counts are

usually high, which makes for poor water quality!

The amount of E. coli and the

turbidity of the Chattahoochee

River are measured every few days by

the Water Quality Program.

Check out the current water quality at

http://ga2.er.usgs.gov/bacteria.

Testing Water Quality

HAT Flotsam!

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area was

established by an Act of Congress, which was signed by

President Jimmy Carter on August 15, 1978 .

Junior Ranger
9

In this picture find and circle

everything that is damaging to the

environment.

What’s Wrong With this Picture?

Because all of the people, plants, and animals on and around the Chattahoochee River rely on its

water to live, it is important to conserve it and keep it clean. Junior Rangers can do a large

part in keeping the river healthy and beautiful. Below are two lists of ways you can help save

the river. Can you think of any other ways? If so, add them to the list!

Saving Water

* Don’t leave the water running when you’re

not using it.

* When watering the lawn, make sure not to

accidentally water the sidewalk and the

street.

* _______________________________

* _______________________________

* _______________________________

Keeping the River Clean

* Join the Chattahoochee River National

Recreation Area for a canoe clean-up on the

river.

* Don’t throw your trash on the ground; find a

trash can or a recycling bin.

* _______________________________

* _______________________________

* _______________________________

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
10

Park Recreation

What activities do you enjoy most

when you visit the park?

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

For centuries, people have been drawn to the

Chattahoochee River for its beauty and the many

recreational activities it has to offer. Recreation

along the river began as far back as 1000 B.C. with

the American Indians' ball and stick games.

The 1970's brought thousands of visitors onto the river

for the famous raft races. Today, the 16 units of the

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offer

places for hiking, boating, horseback riding, biking,

jogging, and more.

With the large number of people visiting the park, it is

important to preserve resources and keep the park safe

and beautiful!

Before visiting any park,

it is always a good idea to

do some advanced

planning. This will make

you a well informed visitor and less

likely to be disappointed when you

arrive at the park.

To plan your visit to CRNRA, check out

www.nps.gov/chat. This will also help

you answer the question below.

HAT Flotsam!

The rootstock of Cattails are edible and were often ground into

meal and eaten by American Indians and early colonists.

Junior Ranger
11

P M B S A T P K O J N C P I C N I C I N G B F IWM U A K

ASJ B KAS L J E YAK IHORSE BAC K R I D ING

TS I LHE K I GNI KAYAKAG I YVNA I DK EHH

F T E HML AS J K I GN I T F A RN L O P AQYMB E D

JAET L I R FSU L P HOTOGRA P HY IO I EHAT

RWON J I A L E G N I K L AWK A N S O U B C H U E E I

F LWM A N S T R E B F I S H I N G D A F U EW P MN A G

NSWJ K A GMS A C C ANO E I NGO L Y G A K H CWE

P L GS ENJMTGN I GGOJMINGHGHT L SOCH

J S V C S B YMRNR G C Y C L I NGNG P OMUHJN C

S L R E I U S T A S O P L OH I K I N G O P C H AWA S P

P L I SNAU I LNATUR EOB S E R VAT I ONS K B

JA L CSAGN I RO L P XEXYSORHNG P I LOY J

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

offers a wide variety of recreational activities, both on

and around the river. In the word search below, first

find the word CHATTAHOOCHEE spelled out vertically.

Each letter of the word Chattahoochee is included in

the name of an activity you can do in the park. The

activity names will be written horizontally both forwards

and backwards. Can you find all of the activities?

Recreation

Word Search

Plan Your Visit at www.nps.gov/chat

What is the phone number to call for more information

about the park?

__________________________________________

Find the next program on the parks Schedule of Events

and fill in the blanks below.

Program Name: ______________________________

Date: __________________Time: ______________

Location: __________________________________

When is the park open? ________________________

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
12

Plant Identification

Liquidambar styraciflua

This tree is known for its star-shaped leaves and the

spiny "gumballs", which are its fruit. It can be found

growing in sunny or partially shaded areas and in dry to

moist soil.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is home to thousands of different types of

plants. There are both non-flowering plants, which include ferns and mosses, and flowering

plants, which include trees, shrubs and wildflowers. While it is important to protect the native

plants in the park, invasive plants are another story. These plants, such as kudzu and privet,

have a negative impact on native species. They have the ability to spread rapidly over an area,

often depriving the native species of sunlight, water, and room to grow, thus eventually killing

them. Be sure to ask a Ranger if you would like to become involved with the removal of these

invasive plants.

Name That Plant

The plants in the activity below are native plants, and are therefore beneficial to the

habitat in the park. Using the picture equations, can you identify these plants' common

names? You can check your answers by researching the scientific names of the plants either

online or at the library.

+ =

If you are having a

difficult time

identifying these

plants, use a plant

field guide. Looking

up the plant by its scientific name will

lead you to the plant’s common name.

No field guide handy? Check out the

Plant Database on the internet at

http://plants.usda.gov.

Sweet Gum Tree

Junior Ranger
13

Acer negundo

This tree can be recognized by its 2-winged fruits in

the spring, which hang in clusters. The bark is usually a

grayish or light brown color. It can be found growing

naturally along streams and in cool ravines.

Typha latifolia

This plant is common around the shores of rivers, lakes,

ponds, and marshes. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and

provide food and shelter for many animals. The flower

has two parts; a brown cylinder (the female part), and a

yellow spike (the male part). 

Cornus florida

The tree is known for its display of white flowers in the

spring. Because it only grows to be about 25 feet high,

it is an understory tree, meaning that it grows beneath

taller trees. This tree's red berries provide food for a

many animals, especially birds.

+ =

+ =

+ =

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
14

+ =

Tradescantia virginiana

This plant can be recognized by its brilliant violet-blue

flowers and long pointed leaves. It was used by

American Indians for medicine and paint. The paint was

often used to dye clothing.

Polystichum acrostichoides

This plant is an evergreen, meaning that it stays green

even year-round. It is common in partially shaded areas

throughout the park, and can be easily identified by the

shape of its fronds.

Aesculus pavia

This shrub or small tree can be found growing in moist

soil in sunny or partially shaded areas. It is hard to miss

with its clusters of bright red flowers, and is often a

treat for hummingbirds and bees.

+ =

+ =

Junior Ranger
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 15

a. woody plant

(trees and shrubs)

GO TO BOX 2

b. non-woody plant

SKIP TO BOX 5

a. simple leaves

GO TO BOX 3

b. compound leaves

SKIP TO BOX 4

a. leaves with 3

leaflets

___ _____

b. leaves with 5

leaflets

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

a. star-shaped leaves

_____ ___

b. leaves entire

_______

a. small plant <1’ in height

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

b. large plant >4’ in height

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

a. simple leaves

GO TO BOX 6

b. compound leaves

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

Things, whether plants or animals, can be identified by one of two methods. For example, you

can compare the plant you are trying to identify with an already identified picture of a

different plant. Most field guides are designed this way. For more precise identification, a

challenging method is to use a key. Below is a fun twist on a simple plant key that can be used

to identify the plants in the preceding section.

To use this key, begin with the first box and decide whether the plant you are trying to

identify is best described by a. or b. Keep following the directions and use the plant names on

the previous pages to fill in the blanks in boxes 3-6.

Plant Key 

1

5 6

4 3

2
16 Junior Ranger

Map Your Course

Being able to read a map is an important part of being a

Junior Ranger. Your map reading skills will come in handy

whether you are hiking out in the woods or riding in a

car. Use the map of the Chattahoochee River National

Recreation Area to answer the following questions. This

will help you to become more familiar with the units of

the park.

1. Find and circle the Chattahoochee River

Environmental Education Center (CREEC) on the map.

2. How many miles of river run between Settles Bridge

and Jones Bridge? (Use the map's scale to measure.)

__________________________________________

3. List the park units that have boat ramps.

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

4. What direction is Bowmans Island in relation to

Johnson Ferry?

__________________________________________

5. Where is the Ranger Station located?

__________________________________________

6. Which unit has the most shoals?

__________________________________________

Learn more about maps

and the art of map

making, cartography,

by visiting the U.S.

Geological Survey web

site at www.usgs.gov.

Visit the USGS Education Map Catalog

to see their collection of Maps of

National Parks and Monuments.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 17

Imagine that you are now a cartographer! In the box below, create a map of your own. This can

be a map of any place you choose, such as your neighborhood, your school, or a park you visit.

Don't forget to use the compass and scale for a more accurate map. Create your own map

symbols in the legend and place them where they belong on your map.

LEGEND

Cartographer: _________________

Date : ____________________

TITLE: ______________________

Cartography
Life in the Park

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is home to thousands of

species of wildlife. Being so close to a large city, the park serves as a

sanctuary for these animals, where they can be safe from busy traffic and

city development. Some animals make their homes in the forested areas of

the park and some on or in the river.

When visiting the park, it is important to remember that you are also

visiting the home of these animals. Showing respect for wildlife is a very

important part of being a good Junior Ranger. These creatures help to

make the national park beautiful and unique. 

It is also important to remember that unlike domestic animals, the critters

you will see in the park are not accustomed to humans. If you encounter a

wild animal, do not try to pet it or pick it up. This could be dangerous for

both you and the animal. If you come across an animal that appears to be

injured, call park dispatch at 770-952-0370 and they will arrange for

proper help.

Below is a list of some of the animals that make

their home in the park. Have you ever seen any of

these animals in the wild? If so, circle the ones you

have encountered.

Chipmunk Grey Squirrel

Whitetail Deer King Snake

Copperhead Tree Frog

Muskrat Beaver

Barred Owl Great Blue Heron

Box Turtle Pond Slider

Red Fox Red Tailed Hawk

HAT Flotsam!

The population in Georgia, as well as the use of the

Chattahoochee River, increased significantly in 1828, when

gold was discovered in the mountains near Dahlonega.

18 Junior Ranger
19

For protection, most forms of wildlife try to remain hidden and sometimes even camouflaged.

Using the close-up pictures below, unscramble the letters to identify the names of the animals.

REDARB WOL

______ ___

ERD LAAMSENRDA

___ _________

PHCORPADEE

__________

DOPN LRISDE

____ ______

REYG QUIRSREL

____ ________

NYRAIPG TMINAS

_______ ______

Name That Animal

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
20

American Indians

The Battle of Taliwa

The ___________ and the _______ living around the Chattahoochee River did not get along

and fought regularly. In 1755, they fought their last major battle, the Battle of Taliwa. 

After the battle, the Chattahoochee River became the dividing line between the Cherokee and

Creek Indian Nations, with the Cherokee settling north and west of the river and the Creeks

on the south side of the line.

The river itself was seen as a neutral _________ and was shared by the tribes for ________

and __________.

Until the late 1800s, American Indians relied on the Chattahoochee River for survival. The land

that is now the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area was home to many groups of

American Indians over several different periods. American Indians living during the Archaic

Period, 8000 B.C. - 1000 B.C., used the area for gathering and hunting wild plants and animals.

The Woodland Period was next, lasting from 1000 B.C. to 900 A.D. During the Mississippian

Period, 900 A.D. - 1541 A.D., American Indians began systematically cultivating beans, squash,

pumpkins, and corn. Beginning in the 1600s A.D., the Cherokee and the Creek tribes made the

area around the river their home. The Cherokee, following the lifestyles of European settlers,

developed a printable alphabet, adopted a constitution, and even purchased African slaves to

help with farming.

Using the word bank, fill in the blanks in the following paragraphs to learn about the lives of

American Indians along the Chattahoochee River.

Word Bank

artifacts Creek

Cherokee fish weirs

land lotteries Trail of Tears

hunting fishing

rock shelters territory

Junior Ranger
21

The Trail of Tears

Remnants of the Past

Your Opinion

As early European immigrants began moving onto the

land around the Chattahoochee River, it became

difficult for them to coexist with the American

Indians. The federal government began holding

_______ __________, distributing their land to

European settlers. In 1828, the last of the Creek land

was signed away with the Treaty of Washington. In

1835, following the Indian Removal Act, the Treaty of New Echota was signed, forcing the

Cherokee tribe west on what is known as the "________ __ ______".

While no American Indian tribes live along the

Chattahoochee River today, many of their ________

and structures still exist. Rock shelters and fish weirs

can be seen at several units of the park.

______ _______ are V-shaped stone structures

developed by American Indians and placed out in the

river. These structures allowed for the American

Indians to catch a large number of fish at one time. 

______ __________ provided refuge for American Indians living along the Chattahoochee

River. These large rock formations can be easily seen today from many of the trails within the

park.

The word “Chattahoochee” is believed to have been used by the Creek tribe to mean “river of

painted rock”. Why do you think this river was called “river of painted rock”?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
22

A Look Inside the Mills

During the 1800's, the Chattahoochee River witnessed a large amount of industrial growth

along its banks. Mills were built and used water power to make items such as cotton, wool, paper,

tenting, roping, flannels, and yarn. Many of these goods were sent to the main railroad line in

Atlanta, where they could be shipped to other parts of the country. The mills were an important

part of Atlanta's industry, and the river played an important role in keeping the mills running.

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union soldiers under the command of General William T.

Sherman crossed the Chattahoochee and were ordered to burn the mills. This severely

weakened the south's development. Because a number of the mills were making uniforms,

currency, and supplies for the Confederate soldiers, their destruction was a hard hit to the

southern troops. Following the Civil War, however, many of the mills were rebuilt and their

ruins can still be seen along the river today.

Ivy Woolen Mills

at Vickery Creek

The Ivy Woolen Mills (later called Laurel Mills) on

Vickery Creek were built in the mid-1840s. Wool was

spun on spindles and looms, which were driven by water

and steam. The mill also produced a fabric known as

“Roswell Gray”, which was used for Confederate

uniforms during the Civil War. The Ivy Woolen Mills

were burned by Union soldiers on July 6, 1864. After

the end of the war the mill was rebuilt and operated as

Laurel Mills untill it abandon in 1920s.

Roswell Cotton Mills

at Vickery Creek

Roswell King Sr. completed construction on the Roswell

Manufacturing Company in 1839. Located just upstream

from the Ivy Mills location on Vickery Creek, the

Roswell Mills produced cotton cloth, yarn, rope and

tenting. The mills were burned by Union troops on July

7, 1864. After the war the mill was rebuilt, expaded,

and upgraded several times. In 1947 Southern Mills

purchased the mill, replaced the machinery, and finally

closed the mill in 1975 for good.

Junior Ranger
1827

1828

1838

1861

186418651872

1916

1956

1978

23

Marietta Paper Mill at Sope Creek

In 1859, James L. Bird completed construction on the

Marietta Paper Mill Company on Sope Creek. The mills

used scraps of used cotton and linen cloth, cotton stalks

and wood to produce printing, writing, wrapping, and

tissue paper. The mills also produced paper for

Confederate money, making it a target for General

Sherman's burnings on July 5, 1864.The mill was rebuilt

by 1868 and then suffered another small blaze in 1870.

This fire resulted in minor damage and the mill was back

in operation by 1871. The mill was expanded to make

paper from wood pulp but suffered another fire in 1902

which resulted in the final closing of the mill.

Timeline

Listed below are some historical events that were significant to the Chattahoochee

River and the land around it. Using the information you have read in this book, as well as

any other sources you may need, fill in the timeline by matching the letter of each event

with the date that it occurred.

A. First Ferry on River

B. Sherman has Mills Burned

C. Dahlonega Gold Rush

D. Civil War Ends

E. Trail of Tears

F. Chattahoochee River National

Recreation Area Established

G. Civil War Starts

H. National Park Service Established

I. Yellowstone National Park Established

J. Buford Dam Completed

K. Morgan Falls Dam Built 1904

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
24

DAMS

Morgan Falls dam is a hydroelectric dam on the

Chattahoochee River. The dam, named for developer S.

Morgan Smith, was constructed in 1904 by Georgia

Power. At the time, Morgan Falls dam was the largest

hydroelectric dam in the state of Georgia.

The dam was initially used to provide power to Atlanta's

electric streetcars. Today, the dam provides enough

power for over 4,000 homes.

In 1946, Congress authorized the construction of

Buford dam on the Chattahoochee River, with a

groundbreaking ceremony taking place in 1950. Six years

later, the gates of the intake structure were closed.

This began the slow process of creating the reservoir

that was eventually named Lake Sidney Lanier (or Lake

Lanier). Buford dam is a peaking hydroelectric power

facility, meaning that it can store water in its reservoir.

Today, water from Lake Lanier is released on a regular

basis or as power demand dictates. 

Buford Dam

Morgan Falls Dam

Hydroelectric dams on the Chattahoochee River have played an important role in the

development of Atlanta. Beginning with Morgan Falls dam, built in the early 1900s, dams have

provided power for a number of cities. These dams have allowed advancements in public

transportation, home life, and industries. Buford dam increased recreation north of Atlanta

with the creation of Lake Lanier, which draws in millions of visitors every year.

Junior Ranger
25

Water is needed to operate a

hydroelectric generating station. It

is held in a reservoir or lake behind

the dam and the force of the water

being released from the reservoir

through the dam spins the blades of

a turbine. The turbine is connected

to the generator that produces

electricity. After passing through

the turbine, the water reenters the

river below the dam.

Water in Motion

Using the information you have learned so far in pursuit of your Junior Ranger badge, explain

the effects the building of Morgan Falls dam and Buford dam had on the Chattahoochee River.

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HAT Flotsam!

Ferries were once a major means of crossing the Chattahoochee

River. The first recorded ferry on the river was back in 1827.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
26

A Trail Through Time

The sites that currently make up the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area have been

witness to war, industrial advancements, changing faces, and a growth in recreational activities

throughout the past 3,000 years. Follow the trail below. When you come to an intersection,

answer the question next to it to decide which way to go. For example, if the correct answer is

‘Z’, you should follow trail Z. For help answering the questions refer to the previous pages.

Good luck and happy trails!

What are the V-shaped

structures originally used by

American Indians to catch

fish in the Chattahoochee

River? 

A. fish weirs

B. cast nets

Mills along the Chattahoochee

River were burned during the

Civil War by which Yankee

General?

C. William T. Sherman

D. Ulysses S. Grant

Start

Junior Ranger
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 27

In May 1838, which

tribe was forced

west by the federal

government on the

Trail of Tears?

E. Creek

F. Cherokee

The city of Atlanta relied on

Morgan Falls Dam to provide

power for which type of

transportation?

G. locomotives

H. streetcars 

The creation of Lake Lanier

began in 1956 with the

completion of which dam?

K. Morgan Falls Dam

L. Buford Dam

During which period

did American Indians

begin cultivating beans,

squash, pumpkin, and

corn along the river

between 700-1400 AD?

I. Archaic

J. Mississippian

Finish
Your National Park System

As of 2007, the National Park System is made up of 391 units. Only 58 of these units are

actually designated national parks. Other units include national monuments, historical parks,

national memorials, heritage areas, historic trails, national recreation areas, wild and scenic

rivers, lakeshores, seashores, battlefields, and national cemeteries. Some of these units, such

as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are well known, while others may not be. 

Using the clues, figure out the unit of the National Park System that each arrow is pointing to.

Peddle hard as you bike over a great

bridge at this park in San Francisco.

Come face to face with polar bears

as you kayak through the icy waters

of this Alaskan bay.

Step back to Prehistoric times at

this national monument.

Witness flowing lava when you

visit this national park.

Check out Old Faithful at America's

first national park.

28 Junior Ranger
29

Stroll through this park in our

Nation's capital and view numerous

monuments from our country's past.

Be sure to see the faces of four

great Presidents carved in stone at

this national memorial.

Visit the only home owned by our

16th President at this national

historic site.

Be a Junior Ranger at this national

recreation area.

Help save the threatened piping

plover at this national seashore.

Catch a glimpse at a Civil War battle

while visiting this national military

park.

Visit the National Park

Service website at

www.nps.gov to help

decipher the parks

described by each clue.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
30

Glossary

Banks- the sides of a river or stream between which the water

normally flows.

Cartographer- one who designs and produces maps.

Cartography- the production of maps, including construction of

projections, design, compilation, drafting, and reproduction.

Compound Leaf- a leaf made of two or more leaflets on one stalk.

Dehydration- an abnormal loss of water from the body,

especially from illness or physical exertion.

Domestic- tame; relating to the home.

Eddy- a small whirlpool created when water moves around a rock

or object.

Erosion- the gradual wearing away of land through processes of

nature, as by streams and wind.

Flotsam- wreckage or cargo that remains afloat after a ship has

sunk; discarded odds and ends.

Fronds- a leaf of a fern, usually consisting of multiple leaflets.

Headwaters- streams and rivers (tributaries) that are the

source of a stream or river.

Hypothermia- a dangerously low body temperature.

Invasive Plants- a plant that is not native to an area and has the

ability to thrive and spread aggressively outside its natural range.

Leaves Entire- a leaf having a smooth edge, without notches or

indentations.

Junior Ranger
Native Plants- a plant that lives or grows naturally in a

particular region without direct or indirect human intervention.

Nonpoint Source Pollution- pollutants detected in a

concentrated water source such as a stream, river or lake that

come from a wide range of sources. These pollutants come from

sources the common person has control over.

Point Source Pollution- pollutants that are coming from a

concentrated originating point like a pipe from a factory or a

large registered feedlot with a specific point of discharge.

River- a large, flowing body of water that usually empties into a

sea or ocean.

Riverbed- the bottom of the river.

Runoff- fertilizer or pesticides that are washed from fields,

lawns, or gardens into rivers or other waterways.

Sediments- small particles, soil, or rocks that are transported

by water or wind.

Shoal- a shallow area in a body of water, esp. one that is

exposed above the surface when the water level is low. 

Simple Leaf- a leaf that is not divided into parts.

Turbidity- not clear or transparent because of stirred-up

sediment or the like; clouded; opaque. 

Watershed- the land that drains water into a lake, stream, or river.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 31
32

Notes

Junior Ranger
The Congress finds the natural, scenic, recreation, historic,

and other values of a forty-eight-mile segment of the

Chattahoochee River ...are of special national significance, and that such values should be preserved and protected from developments and uses which would substantially impair or destroy them. In order to assure such

preservation and protection for public benefit and enjoyment, there is hereby established the Chattahoochee River

National Recreation Area. ..

Public Law 95-344

Signed August 15, 1978

By President Jimmy Carter

This Junior Ranger booklet was created through the partnership of the National

Park Service (NPS), the National Park Foundation (NPF), and the Student

Conservation Association (SCA) and was made possible through the generous support of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., a National Corporate Partner of the

National Park Foundation. To learn more about the online Junior Ranger program, visit www.nps.gov/webrangers.