St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–1 

In This Section 

y River Basin Description 

y Population and Land Use 

y Local Governments and Planning Authorities 

y Water Use Classifications 

Section 2 

River Basin Characteristics 

This section describes the following major characteristics of the St. Marys River 

basin: 

• River basin description (Section 2.1): the physical features and natural processes 

of the basin. 

• Population and land use (Section 2.2): the sociological features of the basin, 

including the types of human activities that might affect water quality and water 

resource use. 

• Local governments and planning authorities (Section 2.3): identification and 

roles of the local authorities within the basin. 

• Water use classifications (Section 2.4): description of water use classifications 

and baseline goals for management of waters within the basin as defined in the 

state regulatory framework. 

2.1 River Basin Description 

This section describes the important geographical, geological, hydrological, and 

biological characteristics of the St. Marys River basin. 

The physical characteristics of the St. Marys River basin include its location, 

physiography, soils, climate, surface water and ground water resources, and natural water 

quality. These physical characteristics influence the basin’s biological habitats and the 

ways people use the basin’s land and water resources. 

2.1.1 River Basin Boundaries 

The St. Marys River basin is located in southeast Georgia and is flanked by the Satilla 

River basin to the north and the Sawannee River basin to the west (Figure 2-1). The 

headwaters are located in Charlton County and the river flows north and east to the 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–2 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure 2-1. Location of the St. Marys River Basin

N

50 0 50

SCALE

Miles

Hydrologic Unit Boundaries

State Boundaries

Portion of Saint Marys within Georgia

Major Rivers

FLORIDA

SUWANNEE

GEORGIA

SATILLA

SAINT MARYS
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–3 

Atlantic Ocean. The St. Marys River watershed is located in Georgia and Florida and 

drains approximately 1,300 square miles, with approximately 765 square miles of 

drainage in Georgia. 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has represented the St. Marys River basin as one 

subbasin, or Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC; see Table 2-1). The HUC is referred to 

repeatedly in this report. Figure 2-2 shows the location of this subbasin and the associated 

counties within the subbasin. 

Table 2-1. Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) of the St. Marys River Basin in Georgia 

03070204 St. Marys River 

2.1.2 Climate 

The St. Marys River basin is characterized by mild winters and hot summers. Mean 

annual precipitation ranges from 40 to 52 inches per year. Precipitation occurs as rainfall. 

Average annual rainfall in the basin is about 50 inches. Fall is the driest season receiving 

only twenty percent of the total annual precipitation. Summer is the wettest season of the 

year, receiving about one-third to one-half of the total annual precipitation. The mean 

annual temperature is about 69 degrees Fahrenheit (Journey and Atkins, 1996; citing Peck 

et al., 1992; Schneider et al., 1965; and Carter and Stiles, 1983). 

2.1.3 Physiography, Geology, Soils, and Hydrogeology 

Physiography 

The Ochlockonee, Satilla, St. Marys and Suwannee River basins lie entirely within the 

Coastal Plain physiographic province, which extends throughout the southeastern margin 

of the United States. The physiography of these river basins reflects a geologic history of 

repeated periods of land submergence which is typical of the Coastal Plain Province. 

These basins include all or portions of the Tifton Upland, the Okefenokee Basin, the 

Bacon Terraces and the Barrier Island Sequence districts of the Coastal Plain. The 

Ochlockonee River basin lies within the western third of the Tifton Upland District. The 

Satilla River basin lies entirely within the Bacon Terraces and Barrier Island Sequence 

districts. The St. Marys River basin lies entirely within the Okefenokee Basin and Barrier 

Island Sequence districts. The Suwannee River basin lies within the Tifton Upland and 

Okefenokee Basin districts. 

The Tifton Upland District is characterized by a well developed, extend dendritic 

stream pattern where narrow, rounded interfluves occur 50 to 200 feet above relatively 

narrow stream valley floors. The northwestern boundary of the district is the base of the 

Pelham Escarpment, which rises as much as 200 feet above the Dougherty Plain to the 

west. The Okefenokee Basin District is typified by very low topographic relief, numerous 

extensive swamps, and local sand ridges. The Bacon Terraces District displays a very 

extended, southeast trending dendritic drainage pattern containing ling, narrow 

interfluves with gently rounded to flat summits that are 50 to 100 feet above narrow, 

marshy floodplains. The district also contains several low, moderately dissected terraces 

which are generally parallel to the coastline. From west to east, these are designated the 

Hazlehurst, Pearson, Claxton, Argyle, Waycross and Penholoway terraces. The Barrier 

Island Sequence District is characterized by a series of prominent marine terraces which 

form a step-like progression of decreasing altitudes toward the sea. The former, higher 

sea levels created barrier island-salt marsh environments parallel to and similar to those 

found on the present coast. The terraces are composed of sand ridges marking the former 

barrier islands, and are flanked by fresh water marshes at the former salt marsh locations. 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–4 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure 2-2. Hydrologic Units and Counties of the St. Marys River Basin

0

0

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20

30 KILOMETERS

30 MILES

EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

State Boundaries

County Boundaries

WARE

CHARLTON CAMDEN

HUC 03070204
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–5 

They have undergone slight to moderate dissection which is generally more advanced at 

the western edge of the district. Trail Ridge is the most prominent of these terraces with a 

maximum elevation of approximately 160 feet. It marks the western boundary of the 

Barrier Island Sequence District where it joins the Bacon Terraces and Okefenokee Basin 

districts. Other, less prominent terraces in the district, from west to east, are the 

Wicomico, Penholoway, Talbot, Pamlico, Princess Anne, and Silver Bluff-Holocene 

terraces. 

The streams in these basins are typical of the Coastal Plain. They generally lack the 

riffles and shoals that are common to streams in the Piedmont Province to the north, and 

exhibit more extensive floodplain development and greater sinuosity. 

Carolina Bays are elliptical or “spoon-shaped” wetland depressions aligned roughly 

north-northwest and are logically well developed throughout the area east of the 

Suwannee River basin. Lime sinks and lake-filled sinks are well developed in areas 

underlain by limestone in the shallow subsurface, notably in the Lake Park area south and 

west of Valdosta, Lowndes County. 

Geology 

Weathered, poorly consolidated sediments underlie all of these river basins, and are 

dominantly composed of sands, clays, and gravels which range from Miocene to 

Holocene in age. These sediments include the Miccosukee Formation (Pliocene age), 

Altamaha Formation and various formations of the Hawthorne Group (all Miocene age), 

as well as barrier island and marsh/lagoon facies of the numerous shoreline complexes 

(Pleistocene to Holocene age). Local occurrences of calcareous sediments include the 

Suwannee Limestone (Oligocene age) and Duplin Marl (Pliocene age). Other rock types 

in the area include dolomite, chert, peat, phosphate and fuller’s earth, as well as 

Quaternary alluvium in the flood plains along the major stream valleys. Most of these 

sediments were deposited in either terrestrial or shallow marine environments. 

Sediments in the area are locally mined for construction sand and fill material. In 

addition, the Meigs Member of the Coosawhatchie Formation (Hawthorne Group) is the 

source of the economically important fuller’s earth clay deposits being mined in the 

Ochlockonee River Basin. In the past, crushed stone was produced from some of the 

limestone deposits, and a few of the larger Carolina Bays were mined for peat. 

Soils 

The Saint Mary's River Basin is within the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods Major Land 

Resource Area (MLRA) (Figure 2-3). The soils within the river basin vary considerably, 

particularly from west to east across the area. The soils in this area can be combined into 

four major groups for discussion. 

The first group of soils occur within the Okefenokee Swamp. This area is dominated 

by organic soils that are saturated and covered with water most of the time. These soils 

are extremely acid. They are normally underlain by sandy or loamy material at various 

depths. Scattered within the area of organic soils are islands of sandy mineral soils, most 

of which are Spodosols. Spodosols are sandy soils that have a layer where a complex of 

organic matter and aluminum has accumulated. These sandy soils are mostly poorly 

drained, with a water table at or near the surface during wet seasons, but they are higher 

in elevation and drier than the surrounding organic soils. 

The second major group of soils is dominated by nearly level, poorly drained soils on 

broad flats, and by very poorly drained soils in depressions and along drainageways. This 

area is characterized by an abundance of Spodosols. Most of the soils in this area are 

sandy, although a loamy subsoil is sometimes found at depth of around 3 feet. Water 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–6 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure 2-3. St. Marys River Basin Major Land Resource Areas in the

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30 MILES

EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

State Boundaries

County Boundaries

Atlantic Coast Flatwoods

Water

WARE

CHARLTON CAMDEN

HUC 03070204
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–7 

tables are commonly at or near the surface during wet seasons, and soils in depressions 

are often ponded. There are areas that are higher in elevation and have a deeper water 

table, particularly along Trail Ridge. Many of these soils are also Spodosols. 

The third group of soils are nearly level, poorly drained and very poorly drained, 

clayey soils on low marine terraces and in depressions. These soils are different from 

most soils in the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods because of their high clay content. They are 

often ponded or flooded. Brookman, Bladen, and Pooler are common soils in this area. 

The fourth group of soils occur in tidal marshes. These soils are continuously 

saturated with water. They are clayey or silty, and are high in sulpher and salt content. 

Bohicket and Capers are common soils in this area. Islands and other areas of higher 

elevation in this area are dominated by sandy Spodosols as outlined in group two above. 

Hydrogeology 

Coastal Plain sediments underlie the entire region and groundwater is produced from 

several aquifers. Sources of ground water include, in order of importance, the unconfined 

Surficial aquifer, the Upper and Lower Brunswick aquifers and the Upper and Lower 

Floridan aquifers. The Surficial aquifer is up to 230 feet thick and consists of 

interlayered, Miocene and younger, sand, clay and limestone. It is underlain by the Upper 

and Lower Brunswick aquifers both of which are composed of 150 and 70 feet, 

respectively, of poorly sorted sand. The Upper and Lower Floridan aquifers consist of 

Eocene to Oligocene carbonate rocks (largely limestone and dolostone) 700 to 2,500 feet 

in thickness. In each of the aquifers, except for the Surficial aquifer, the groundwater is 

under confined (aquifer) conditions. Most of these aquifers consistently have excellent 

water quality; however, the Lower Floridan aquifer is saline and generally does not meet 

drinking water standards. Stream networks within each HUC are shown in Figure 2-4. 

2.1.4 Surface Water Resources 

The St. Marys River Basin is a 765 square-mile landmass in southeast Georgia, the 

smallest of the area’s four basins. An additional 535 square-mile portion of the basin lies 

in Florida. The basin is one of three basins in the area whose hydrologic boundaries 

continue into Florida. 

The upstream boundary of the St Marys Basin is the Okefenokee Swamp. From this 

point the Georgia portion of the basin extends eastwards and northward to include parts 

of Ware, Charlton and Camden counties. 

Surface water resources in the basin are limited by its small size. The main stem of the 

St Marys River is the principal surface water resource , with an annual average flow at its 

mouth of about 1400 cfs. The North Prong St Marys River and Spanish Creek, with 

tributary areas of 540 square miles and 109 square miles, respectively, are the only 

significant tributaries. 

2.1.5 Ground Water Resources 

Groundwater resources in the St Marys River basin are supplied by the Floridan 

aquifer system, one of the most productive ground water reservoirs in the United States. 

The system supplies about 50 percent of the ground water used in the state. It is used as a 

major water source throughout most of South Georgia. A more detailed description of the 

Floridan aquifer system is provided below. 

Floridan Aquifer 

The Floridan aquifer underlies the rest of the southern portion of the basin. The 

aquifer is overlain by approximately 25-125 feet of sandy clay residuum derived from 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–8 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure 2-4. Hydrography, St. Marys River Basin, HUC 03070204

EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

County Boundaries

Hydrolography

Lake, Reservoir, or River

0 10 20

0 10 20 30 KILOMETERS

30 MILES

WARE

CAMDEN CHARLTON
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–9 

chemical weathering of the underlying rock. The total thickness of the Floridan aquifer in 

the basin ranges from a few feet in the north to more than 400 feet in the extreme 

southern portion of the basin. Clastic grains of sand and shale are major components of 

the Floridan aquifer near its northernmost extent, where it is dominantly limestone in the 

Ochlockonee basin. Throughout most of the basin, the aquifer can be divided into three 

thick limestone formations: the Tampa Limestone, the Suwannee Limestone and the 

Ocala Limestone. The Tampa Limestone consists of whitish gray limestone that has a 

shale bed at its base. This shale acts as a confining layer to the underlying Suwannee and 

Ocala limestones (Miller, 1986). Below the Tampa, the Suwannee limestone is a massive 

chalky unit that is easily dissolved and weathered. For this reason, the many solution 

cavities in the Tampa provide abundant water to the underlying Ocala Limestone. The 

Ocala Limestone is the principal unit of the Floridan aquifer, and contains an upper 

friable, porous unit and a lower fine-grained unit (Miller, 1986). This lower unit contains 

most of the groundwater in the Floridan aquifer (Torak and others, 1993). The Ocala is 

underlain by the clay-rich Lisbon Formation, which acts as a slower confining bed to the 

water-bearing limestones above. Well yields in the Floridan aquifer can range from about 

40 GPM in the north to more than 10,000 GPM in the thickest, southern most portion of 

the Floridan aquifer. The Floridan serves as the main aquifer from Decatur and Burke 

counties to the coast. 

Recharge occurs through the sandy soil in the outcrop area. In the northern portion of 

the basin this unit is seen as one single aquifer and can be called either the Cretaceous 

Aquifer or the Dublin-Midville Aquifer. As you move to the south, an intervening clay 

layer becomes apparent, and divides the aquifer into two distinct units. Below is the 

Midville Aquifer of definite Cretaceous age. Overlying the confining shale unit is the 

Dublin Aquifer, which is of Cretaceous-Early Tertiary age. 

2.1.6 Biological Resources 

Fish Fauna 

The fish fauna of the St. Marys River basin includes 52 species representing 17 

families. Fifteen of the 34 species in the sunfish family Centrarchidae are present in the 

St. Marys River, making this family the largest group of fish species found in the river 

basin. Other families with large numbers of species are the minnow and catfish families, 

with six species from each family being found in the St. Marys basin. Fish populations in 

the St. Marys basin are limited in productivity by acidic waters, low alkalinity, and 

extreme variation in flow. 

Fisheries 

The St. Marys River is a blackwater stream that originates in the Okefenokee Swamp 

and north-eastern Florida. The St. Marys River flows in a easterly direction for 143 miles, 

forming the border between southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, before emptying 

into the Atlantic Ocean near St. Marys, Georgia. The river is well known for its near 

natural conditions and many landmarks. The St. Marys River and its tributaries provide 

good fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, warmouth, 

crappie, and several catfish species. 

The blackbanded sunfish and the banded topminnow are two fish species found in the 

basin that are currently listed by the state as rare species. The Atlantic and shortnose 

sturgeon are both known anecdotally from the St. Marys River, including recorded 

landings of Atlantic sturgeon as recently as 1992. However, no Atlantic or shortnose 

sturgeon were collected in over 100 hours of sampling effort from 23 May - 8 September, 

1994 (unpublished data, CRD). 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

2–10 St. Marys River Basin Plan 

2.2 Population and Land Use 

2.2.1 Population 

As of 1995, about 9,000 people lived in the St Marys watershed (DRI/McGraw-Hill, 

1996). Population distribution in the basin at the time of the 1990 census by census 

blocks is shown in Figure 2-5. Population centers in the St Marys watershed include the 

development surrounding Kingsland and Folkston. 

Between 1995 and 2050, the population in the St Marys River basin is estimated to 

increase by 0.9 percent per year (DRI/McGraw-Hill, 1996). 

The river basin will mirror state trends in terms of its elderly population with the 65 

and older age group showing the largest gains in share through 2050, at which time 19 

percent of the population will be in this age group. Large youth and elderly populations 

will mean a decline in the working age population, down 19 percent in 2050 from 35 

percent today. 

2.2.2 Land Cover and Use 

Land use/land cover classification (Figures 2-6 and 2-7) was determined for the St. 

Marys River Basin based on high-altitude aerial photography for 1972-76 (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 1972-78). Subsequently in 1991 land cover data were developed 

based on interpretation of Landsat TM satellite image data obtained during 1988-90, leafoff conditions. These two coverages differ significantly. Aerial photography allows 

identification of both land cover and land uses. Satellite imagery, however, detects 

primarily land cover, and not land use, such that a forest and a wooded subdivision may, 

for instance, appear similar. Satellite interpretation also tends to be less accurate than 

aerial photography. 

The 1988-90 land cover interpretation showed 41 percent of the basin in forest cover, 

41 percent in wetlands, 2 percent in urban land cover, and 2 percent in agriculture 

(Figure 2-7). Statistics for 15 landcover classes in the Georgia portion of the St. Marys 

River basin for the 1988-90 coverage are presented in Table 2-2 (GA DNR, 1996). 

Table 2-2. Land Cover Statistics for the St. Marys Basin 

Class Name % Acres 

Open Water 1.5 6,132.3 

Clear Cut/Young Pine 8.1 33,497.8 

Pasture 0.7 2,922.0 

Cultivated/Exposed Earth 1.6 6,826.5 

Low Density Urban 1.0 3,973.4 

High Density Urban 0.9 3,754.8 

Emergent Wetland 4.2 17,488.6 

Scrub/Shrub Wetland 11.6 48,173.8 

Forested Wetland 23.9 99,450.4 

Coniferous Forest 25.8 107,390.7 

Mixed Forest 13.0 53,847.8 

Hardwood Forest 2.5 10,210.3 

Salt Marsh 0.5 2,171.7 

Brackish Marsh 1.0 4,338.9 

Tidal Flats/Beaches 0.1 255.3 

Total 100.0 415,636.2 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–11

Figure St. Marys River Basin, 1990 (persons per square mile) 2-5. Population Density in the

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EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

State Boundaries

County Boundaries

Less than 25

25 - 49

50 - 100

200 - 400

100 - 200

400 - 800

WARE

CHARLTON CAMDEN

HUC 03070204
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–12 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure 2-6. Land Use, St. Marys River Basin, HUC 03070204, USGS 1972-76 Classification Updated with

1990 Urban Areas

0 10 20

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30 MILES

EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

County Boundaries

Barren Land

Urban or Built-up Land

Agricultural Land

Forest Land

Water

Wetland

Rangeland

WARE

CAMDEN CHARLTON
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–13

Figure 2-7. Land Cover 1990, St. Marys River Basin, HUC 03070204

EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

County Boundaries

Open Water

Clear Cut / Young Pine

Cultivated / Exposed Earth

Low Density Urban

Emergent Wetland

Pasture

High Density Urban

Scrub / Shrub Wetland

Forested Wetland

Coniferous Forest

Hardwood Forest

Mixed Forest

Tidal Flats

Salt Marsh

Brackish Marsh

0 10 20

0 10 20 30 KILOMETERS

30 MILES

WARE

CAMDEN CHARLTON
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

2–14 St. Marys River Basin Plan 

Forestry 

Forestry is a major part of the economy within the basin. Markets for forest products 

afford landowners excellent investment opportunities to manage and sell their timber, 

pine straw, naval stores, etc., products. Statewide, the forest industry output for 1997 

grew to approximately $19.5 billion dollars. The value added by this production, which 

includes wages, profits, interest, rent, depreciation and taxes paid into the economy 

reached a record high $9.3 billion dollars. Georgians are benefited directly by 177,000 

job opportunities created by the manufacture of paper, lumber, furniture and various other 

wood products as well as benefiting the consumers of these products. Other benefits of 

the forest include hunting, fishing, aesthetics, wildlife watching, hiking, camping and 

other recreational opportunities as well as providing important environmental benefits 

such as clean air and water and wildlife habitat. 

According to the US Forest Service’s Forest Statistics for Georgia, 1997 report 

(Thompson, 1997), there is approximately 919,800 acres of commercial forest land in the 

entire counties within the basin. Approximately 62 percent of the total land area in the 

basin is commercial forest. Private landowners account for 38 percent of the commercial 

forest ownership while the forest industry companies account for 55 percent. 

Governmental entities account for about 7 percent of the commercial forest land. An 

additional 319,600 acres are classified as reserved timberland but are withdrawn from 

timber utilization through statute or administrative regulation. Figure 2-8 depicts 

silvicultural land use in the St. Marys basin. Forestry acreage in the St. Marys River basin 

is summarized in Table 2-3. 

Table 2-3. Forestry Acreage in the St. Marys River Basin 

County Commercial 

Forest Pine Oak-pine Upland Hardwood

Lowland 

Hardwood

Camden 267,600 138,600 29,700 9,000 86,000

Charlton 307,100 202,000 41,200 7,300 38,400

Ware 345,100 228,700 32,400 0 66,400

Total 919,800 569,300 103,300 16,300 190,800

There are 40,300 acres considered as non-stocked. 

For the period from 1982 to 1997, for the entire counties within the basin, the area 

classified as commercial forest land decreased approximately 4 percent. The area 

classified as pine type decreased approximately 14 percent. The area classified as oakpine type increased approximately 63 percent. The area classified as upland hardwood 

decreased approximately 58 percent. The area classified as bottomland hardwood did not 

change and remains at 190,800 acres. 

Agriculture 

Agriculture in the St. Marys River Basin is relatively limited. In fact, agriculture 

accounts for only 2.4 percent of the land use in the basin. 

In 1997, there were some 10,606 acres devoted to agricultural production 

(Figure 2-9). Corn is the primary commodity grown in the Basin with Hay production 

coming in a distant second. Orchard and vegetable production are limited to non-existent 

in the Basin. 

Georgia’s irrigation permit database shows 11 irrigation permits have been issued for 

the purpose of agricultural irrigation in the St. Marys River Basin. There are only an 

estimated 765 acres of cropland under irrigation in the area. 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–15

Figure St. Marys River Basin 2-8. Silvicultural Land in the

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EXPLANATION

Hydrologic Unit Boundary

State Boundaries

County Boundaries

70 to 90 percent of county in timber land

50 to 70 percent of county in timber land

Greater than 90 percent of county in timber land

WARE

CHARLTON CAMDEN

HUC 03070204
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics

2–16 St. Marys River Basin Plan

Figure St. Marys River Basin 2-9. Agricultural Land in the

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Hydrologic Unit Boundary

State Boundaries

County Boundaries

Less than 10 percent of county in farmland

WARE

CHARLTON CAMDEN

HUC 03070204
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–17 

The St. Marys River Basin also has a limited animal industry as well. Table 2-4 shows 

number of animals by sector within the animal agricultural industry in the Basin. Poultry 

operations represent the largest sector of this industry. 

Table 2-4. Agricultural Operations in the St. Marys River Basin 

(data supplied by NRCS) 

Element St. Marys Basin Total

Acres 10533

Dairy Cattle (Head 1997) 0

All Cattle and Calves (Head 1997) 842

Hogs and Pigs (Head 1996) 280

Boilers (thousands, 1997) 263424

Layers (thousands, 1997) 36400

Irrigated Acres (1995) 170

Total Agriculture Acres (1989-1997) 10606

Collectively, across all animal operations, there are an estimated 3,380 Animal Units 

(AUs) in the Basin. AUs are defined here as 1000 lb. Animal Equivalents. The AUs in 

the St. Marys River Basin generate some 42,730 tons per year of animal waste. Producers 

handle animal waste through various management activities that utilize nutrients, and 

other soil amendment benefits, for commodity production. 

Although a limited industry in the St. Marys River Basin’s, agriculture still 

contributed $137 million to the local economy in 1997. Agriculture is not considered to 

be a significant threat to water quantity and water quality in the Basin. However, the 

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC)—with technical assistance 

from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—assess agricultural impacts 

on water quantity and water quality. Historical, present, and future agricultural water 

demand is assessed in Section 3; while agricultural non-point source pollution is assessed 

in Section 4. 

2.3 Local Governments and Planning Authorities 

Many aspects of basin management and water quality protection depend on decisions 

regarding zoning, land use, and land management practices. These are particularly 

important for the control of nonpoint pollution—pollution that arises in storm water 

runoff from agriculture, urban or residential development, and other land uses. The 

authority and responsibility for planning and control of these factors lies with local 

governments, making local governments and jurisdictions important partners in basin 

management. 

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is the state’s principal department with 

responsibilities for implementing the coordinated planning process established by the 

Georgia Planning Act. Its responsibilities include promulgation of minimum standards for 

preparation and implementation of plans by local governments, review of local and 

regional plans, certification of qualified local governments, development of a state plan, 

and provision of technical assistance to local governments. Activities under the Planning 

Act are coordinated with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Regional 

Development Centers (RDCs), and local governments. 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

2–18 St. Marys River Basin Plan 

2.3.1 Counties and Municipalities 

Local governments in Georgia consist of counties and incorporated municipalities. As 

entities with constitutional responsibility for land management, local governments have a 

significant role in the management and protection of water quality. The role of local 

governments includes enacting and enforcing zoning, storm water and development 

ordinances; undertaking water supply and wastewater treatment planning; and 

participating in programs to protect wellheads and significant ground water recharge 

areas. Many local governments are also responsible for operation of water supply and 

wastewater treatment facilities. 

The St. Marys River basin includes part of 3 Georgia counties (Table 2-5 and 

Figure 2-2). Municipalities or cities are communities officially incorporated by the 

General Assembly. Georgia has more than 530 municipalities. Table 2-6 lists the 

municipalities in the St. Marys River basin. 

Table 2-5. Georgia Counties in the St. Marys River Basin 

Counties Entirely Within the 

St. Marys River Basin 

Counties Partially Within the St. Marys 

River Basin 

Counties With Less Than 20% 

Area Within the Basin 

None Charlton, Camden Ware 

Table 2-6. Georgia Municipalities in the St. Marys River Basin 

HUC 03070204 

Folkston 

Homeland 

Kingsland 

Moniac 

St. George 

St. Marys 

2.3.2 Regional Development Centers 

Regional Development Centers (RDCs) are agencies of local governments, with 

memberships consisting of all the cities and counties within each RDC’s territorial area. 

There are currently 17 RDCs in Georgia. RDCs facilitate coordinated and comprehensive 

planning at local and regional levels, assist their member governments with conformity to 

minimum standards and procedures, and can have a key role in promoting and supporting 

management of urban runoff, including watershed management initiatives. RDCs also 

serve as liaisons with state and federal agencies for local governments in each region. 

Funding sources include members’ dues and funds available through DCA. Table 2-7 

summarizes the RDCs and the associated counties within the St. Marys River basin. 

Table 2-7. Regional Development Centers in the St. Marys River Basin 

Regional Development Center Member Counties with Land Area in the St. Marys Basin 

Southeast Georgia Charlton 

Coastal Georgia Camden 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

St. Marys River Basin Plan 2–19 

2.4 Water Use Classifications 

2.4.1 Georgia’s Water Use Classification System 

The Board of Natural Resources was authorized through the Rules and Regulations 

for Water Quality Control promulgated under the Georgia Water Quality Control Act of 

1964, as amended, to establish water use classifications and water quality standards for 

the surface waters of the State. 

The water use classifications and standards were first established by the Georgia 

Water Quality Control Board in 1966. Georgia was the second state in the nation to have 

its water use classifications and standards for intrastate waters approved by the federal 

government in 1967. For each water use classification, water quality standards or criteria 

were developed which established a framework to be used by the Water Quality Control 

Board and later the Environmental Protection Division in making water use regulatory 

decisions. 

The water use classification system was applied to interstate waters in 1972 by the 

EPD. Georgia was again one of the first states to receive federal approval of a statewide 

system of water use classifications and standards. Table 2-8 provides a summary of water 

use classifications and criteria for each use. 

Congress made changes in the CWA in 1987 that required each state to adopt numeric 

limits for toxic substances for the protection of aquatic life and human health. To comply 

with these requirements, the Board of Natural Resources adopted 31 numeric standards 

for protection of aquatic life and 90 numeric standards for the protection of human health. 

Appendix B provides a summary of toxic substance standards that apply to all waters in 

Georgia. Water quality standards are discussed in more detail in Section 5.2.1. 

Table 2-8. Georgia Water Use Classifications and Instream Water Quality Standards for Each Use 

Bacteria 

(fecal coliform) 

Dissolved Oxygen 

(other than trout streams)2 pH Temperature 

(other than trout streams)2

Use Classification1

30-Day Geometric 

Mean3

(no/100 ml) 

Maximum 

(no./100ml) 

Daily 

Average 

(mg/l) 

Minimum 

(mg/l) 

Std. 

Units 

Maximum 

Rise above 

Ambient (°F) 

Maximum 

(°F) 

Drinking Water 

requiring treatment 

1,000 (Nov-April) 

200 (May-October) 

4,000 (Nov-April) 5.0 4.0 6.0-

8.5 

5 90 

Recreation 200 (Freshwater) 

100 Coastal) 

-- 5.0 4.0 6.0-

8.5 

5 90 

Fishing 

Coastal Fishing4

1,000 (Nov-April) 

200 (May-October) 

4,000 (Nov-April) 5.0 4.0 6.0-

8.5 

5 90 

Wild River No alteration of natural water quality 

Scenic River No alteration of natural water quality 

1

 Improvements in water quality since the water use classifications and standards were originally adopted in 1972 provided the 

opportunity for Georgia to upgrade all stream classifications and eliminate separate use designations for “Agriculture”, “Industrial”, 

“Navigation”, and “Urban Stream” in 1993.

2 Standards for Trout Streams for dissolved oxygen are an average of 6.0 mg/l and a minimum of 5.0 mg/l. No temperature 

alteration is allowed in Primary Trout Streams and a temperature change of 2 °F is allowed in Secondary Trout Streams. 3

 Geometric means should be “based on at least four samples collected from a given sampling site over a 30-day period at 

intervals not less than 24 hours.” The geometric mean of a series of N terms is the Nth root of their product. Example: the 

geometric mean of 2 and 18 is the square root of 36. 4

 Standards are same as fishing with the exception of dissolved oxygen which is site specific. 

In the latter 1960s through the mid-1970s there were many water quality problems in 

Georgia. Many stream segments were classified for the uses of navigation, industrial, or 

urban stream. Major improvements in wastewater treatment over the years have allowed 

the stream segments to be raised to the uses of fishing or coastal fishing which include 

more stringent water quality standards. The final two segments in Georgia were upgraded 

as a part of the triennial review of standards completed in 1989. All of Georgia’s waters 
Section 2. River Basin Characteristics 

2–20 St. Marys River Basin Plan 

are currently classified as either fishing, recreation, drinking water, wild river, scenic 

river, or coastal fishing. 

2.4.2 Water Use Classifications for the St. Marys River Basin 

Waters in the St. Marys River basin are classified as fishing, recreation, drinking 

water, or wild and scenic. Most of the waters are classified as fishing. Those waters 

explicitly classified in Georgia regulations are shown in Table 2-9; all waters not 

explicitly classified are classified as fishing. 

Table 2-9. St. Marys River Basin Waters Classified in Georgia Regulations1

Waterbody Segment Description Use Classification 

Littoral waters All littoral waters on the ocean side of 

Cumberland Island 

Recreation 

1

 Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6(13). Waters within the St. Marys River basin 

not explicitly classified and listed above are classified as Fishing. 

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