River Riches

Alabama is a state rife with rivers.  Our vast collection of rivers, creeks, streams, bayous and lakes contributes to our economy, is foundational to our cultural heritage and creates a valuable recreational resource. Anniston jeweler Fred Couch already knew and loved the state’s rivers; the avid paddler had spent plenty of time traversing them. But he had a nagging question. Why weren’t they given more attention? That thought was the initial pebble tossed from the bank. It broke the surface and had a ripple effect, one that led Couch to gather like-minded folks and shine a light on Alabama’s rivers by helping to create The Alabama Scenic River Trail.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail is two things: a nonprofitorganization that designated the pathways along the state’s rivers as a Trail and the actual Trail itself. The Trail was christened and started “officially” showcasing some of our state’s abundant water wonders in June 2008. Its purpose is to encourage residents and visitors to explore the state’s rivers and provide the information and access to make it easier than ever before.

But it took some grass roots work to get it all going, as Laura Gaddy, ASRT communications director, explained. “In the beginning, Couch and Jay Grantland, who is now our executive director, traveled all over Alabama sleeping in a VW van from 1970s and getting county commissions and other local leaders to adopt resolutions in support of a river trail,” she said. “Along the way, they were also helping local communities develop access points to the trail.”

The Alabama Tourism Department got involved too, putting Couch in touch with others around the state who had also expressed interest in a river trail. There were challenges, including finding portage trails to get around dams on many of the rivers. With the help of countless volunteers and communities, the Trail was open for business in 2008 and encompassed 650 miles.

Today, the Trail has branched off that first north-south main route to include more than 6,500 miles – 10 times the initial Trail. This makes it the longest such trail contained in a single state in the country. The blueway flows from mountain streams and slow, wide rivers all the way into coastal delta. And it still only includes a small portion of the state’s huge network of waterways, which total more than 100,000 miles.

The Trail’s core section begins at the Georgia state line on the Coosa River. It winds its way south to the Tallapoosa River, then to the Alabama River, crossing nine lakes and branching out all along the way before terminating at Ft. Morgan in the Gulf of Mexico.

While power boaters are welcome on the Trail, there’s a good bit of emphasis put on helping paddlers travel its liquid pathways. Many of the Trail’s supporters, like Couch, count paddling among their hobbies. Gaddy is a paddler too. She lives in Jacksonville, and the former reporter got involved with the Trail after discovering an affinity for the outdoors. “I was volunteering with the Trail and asked if they needed help with media and public relations, and they did, so I wound up working for them.” Her job gives her the opportunity to promote something she believes in and a pastime she believes can be beneficial for both mind and body. “The first time I was in a boat without a motor, I fell in love,” Gaddy said.
“Paddling provides great physical fitness; it’s a great workout. But there is more to it too. It is an overall experience that provides the mental and emotional benefits of being outside in fresh air, immersed in the beauty of nature.”

Thanks to the efforts of Gaddy and many others, the Trail has experienced phenomenal growth in just a little over 10 years, and work is ongoing to improve and add to it. “We’ve recently been doing an initiative where we work with rescue squads to put mile markers on the Trail,” Gaddy said. “They function like mile markers on the highway and help rescuers access paddlers and other boaters if needed, but they also help people navigate the Trail.” Trail staff and volunteers are also always workingto clear debris from Trail waterways on the trail, things like downed trees and other hazards, through the Open
Waters program.

The Trail website is the place to get started exploring the Trail. It gives beginning boaters and old river rats alike an amazingly detailed route to follow for a day trip or an extended run. The interactive map includes waypoints, campsites, road access, put ins and take outs. You can also find contact info to reach out to a Trail Angel, a Trail volunteer ready, willing and happy to help you plan your Trail trip. “We really want to make it simple for people to use and experience the Trail,” Gaddy said.

River Racin'
In 2019, The Alabama Scenic River Trail launched the Great AL 650, a 10-day paddle race on the Trail’s core section, from the Georgia line in North Alabama all the way down to the Gulf. “This is an event for more experienced paddlers,” Laura Gaddy, ASRT communications director, said. “But we’ve had a great response, attracting elite paddlers from across the country and even internationally.” The event keeps garnering attention, a spotlight Gaddy says is overdue. “The event is increasing the profile of Alabama’s waterways and our state’s natural beauty, and we are worthy of that attention,” she said. “We have a lot to offer.”

(photography by Matt Reynolds)

Paddlin' Picks
We asked Laura Gaddy, ASRT communications director, so share some of her favorte Alabama rivers to traverse. “I love what I call my ‘home creek,’ which is Terrapin Creek. It is where I got started paddling. I enjoy Autauga Creek, too. It’s really great, and its access point is right by downtown Prattville,” she said.

(photography by Matt Reynolds)