It has crystal clear waters and blissful scenery making it an ideal vacationing spot in Alabama. Many hotels, campgrounds, and marinas surround this lake, making it a perfect vacation spot. A 23-mile drive runs along the canyon's rim that offers spectacular views into the 700-foot-deep gorge. While nothing like the spectacular canyons in the West, the Little River Canyon is the deepest in Alabama and one of the deepest east of the Mississippi River. The lake is known for bass fishing, boating, hiking, and biking. The south end of Alabama is known for its warm swimming currents, waves, and tides. The lowest depth is 196 feet (60m). The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about 6 miles (10 km) north of Montgomery, near the town of Wetumpka.. Wind Creek State Park also has boat rental, camping, cabins, a marina, picnicking, playground, swimming, and trails. Four impoundments are formed from the Tallapoosa River before it joins the Coosa River near Montgomery to become the Alabama River. 11 Geographic Facts About the Gulf of Mexico - ThoughtCo Searching for the deepest gorge in the Appalachian Mountains The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about 6 miles (10km) north of Montgomery, near the town of Wetumpka. Its navigable length is 305 miles (491 km), and the river drains 22,800 square miles (59,050 square km). Walter F George Lake is one of the popular swimming lakes in Alabama. Its path through Elmore, Tallapoosa, and Chambers counties was 44.2 miles (71.1km) long. Visitors can enjoy camping, boating, and fishing in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, located several miles upstream from the dam. Alabama Rivers Shown on the Map: Alabama River, Black Warrior River, Cahaba River, Chattahoochee River, Choctawhatchee River, Conecuh River, Coosa River, Locust Fork, Mulberry Fork, Pea River, Sipsey River, Tallapoosa River, Tennessee River and Tombigbee River. Fishing below Irwin Shoals can be excellent in March and early April for white bass and striped bass. The third largest lake in Alabama, Lake Martin is a popular recreation area for swimming, boating, water skiing, camping and golfing. Wheeler Lake is one of the famous swimming lakes in Alabama. The three major waterfalls along the river are the DeSoto Falls, the Little River Falls, and the seasonal Grace's High Falls. The longest free-flowing river in Alabama is the Cahaba River. The lake has an area of 6272 hectares. What comes to your mind when you first hear of Alabama? Popular species of birds like bald eagles, gadwalls, lesser scaup, and red-breasted mergansers are spotted here. List of largest lakes of the United States by area. Sweet Home Alabama is a state often overlooked, but it is a state that has a lot to offer and there are a number of reasons why one should visit. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in Alabama. Main phone number for Little River Canyon National Preserve. The Alabama River's main tributary, the Coosa River, crosses the mineral region of Alabama and is navigable for light-draft boats from Rome, Georgia, to about 117 miles (188km) above Wetumpka (about 102 miles (164km) below Rome and 26 miles (42km) below Greensport), and from Wetumpka to its junction with the Tallapoosa. The mainstem of the Alabama River flows through or borders 9 Alabama counties: Elmore, Autauga, Montgomery, Lowndes, Dallas, Wilcox, Monroe, Baldwin and Clarke. The river was an important source of transportation in the 19th century and played a significant role in Alabama's economic growth. The lake has a shoreline of 540 km, and recreational activities like swimming, birdwatching, hiking, and boating . Lake Lurleen is a well-known lake in the western end of Alabama near Lake Lurleen State Park. Summary The sculptor of this canyon is the Little River, which is notable for flowing for most of its length atop a mountain as well as for possessing very high water quality. Many waterfront neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on Lake Martin. Lewis Smith Lake is 264 feet deep but when you compare that to the deepest lake in the US it doesnt quite seem that deep. However, Lay Lake has its oddities when it comes to consumption warnings. It is also known as the Crappie Capital of the World, and common loons, horned grebes, and dabbling and diving ducks thrive here. Available through the De-partment of Fisheries and AlliedAquacultures, 203 Swingle Hall, Au-burn AL 36849; 334-844-4785 oremail: wdeutch@ag.auburn.edu. An array of recreational activities like fishing, swimming, boating, and skiing are offered here. Little River Canyon, located atop northeast Alabama's Lookout Mountain, was carved out by the river after thousands of years and is one of the deepest canyons in this part of the United States. The Tallapoosa River above R. L. Harris Reservoir and the Little Tallapoosa River have nearly equal watersheds; they merge at R. L. Harris Reservoir, also called Lake Wedowee, and continue as the Tallapoosa River. Anglers are encouraged to keep smaller bass, but largemouth bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length must be returned to the lake unharmed. It is also regarded as the Souths greatest lake. The biggest grass carp ever caught in Alabama was a 73-pounder caught by Bradley D. Bridges, Sr. on Lake Guntersville. While some people claim alligators live here, this has yet to be proven. The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma overlooking the Alabama River. R. L. Harris Lake or Lake Wedowee The Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Alabamas only wild and scenic river, flows from Bank Head National Forest to form Smith Lake. There are 14 boat ramps on the lake including a large one at the Smith Lake Park at the northeast end of the lake. 17 listed. It consists of five islands that are ideal for sailing. Not all of Alabama's attractions and state parks are on the surface either, the Cathedral Cavern State Park is full of subterranean wonders and is wanting to be discovered. There are specific timings for fishing throughout the week, and the fishing ground is open throughout the day. Alabama - Rivers (U.S. National Park Service) Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Black bass and striped bass receive the media attention, but an Alabama record white crappie was caught in early May from Lake Martin. The lake is one of the best swimming lakes in Alabama. The lake has a shoreline of 440 miles and is operated by Alabama Power Company. This section of the Tallapoosa River contains more and larger catfish than the section above Harris Lake. Thus, Lewis Smith Lake is the clearest and cleanest lake in Alabama and is a must-visit spot for all incoming vacationers and tourists. The 1,980-acre Yates Lake, or the Middle Pond, has one major tributary, Sougahatchee Creek. The region is home to some of the best fishing lakes in Alabama. There is a dock, swimming area, fishing pier, and picnic areas along the shorelines of 120 km. Have You Heard the Legend of Alabama's Littlefoot? - MSN Perfect for a days getaway or long summer vacation. Where is the Alabama River? It is a great place to catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, sunfish, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. The lake is managed by the Tennessee River Authority. Many small islands dot Lake Martin, albeit the majority are uninhabited. The largest town on the banks of Lake Martin is Alexander City; but people from Atlanta, Auburn, Birmingham and Montgomery areas converge on the lake during the summer to enjoy its clear waters. The snow measures above 8,000 feet and is the deepest ever recorded, the park service said. The drive features several stop-off points where you can pull over and get Above all, numerous cabins and boats can be rented here. There are no sharks in Pickwick Lake, but according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there is an alligator in Indian Creek. The Largest Farm in the Entire World Is Bigger Than 11 U.S. States! With a shoreline of 289 miles, it is the oldest lake on the Coosa River and is famous for boating and fishing tournaments throughout the year. The lake is home to many largemouths and spotted bass, striped bass, white bass, hybrid bass, crappie, catfish (mainly channel), bream, drum, carp, and gar. Wheeler Lake and Logan Martin Lake are the less cleanest of all the lakes in Alabama but not the dirtiest. Related: This Is The Best Month To Visit The Grand Canyon, And Which Tour To Take While You're There. Neely Henry is a lake located along the Coosa River, a 280-mile-long tributary of the Alabama River that flows through Alabama and Georgia. The biggest spotted bass ever caught in Alabama was caught by Phillip C. Terry on Smith Lake. Some of the longest rivers in Alabama are highlighted below. The river flows from its headwaters in northwestern Georgia to Weiss Lake in a mostly unimpaired manner. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango". There are various marinas and launch facilities on the lake, so you can participate in different water activities. Alabama has a few good-sized lakes like Guntersville and Wheeler as well as some smaller, but still recreational lakes, for locals and visitors to enjoy. It was originally home to Native American tribes and later played a significant role in the Civil War. Lake Martin is also home to bird species such as the Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, White Ibis, and Roseate Spoonbill. Spotted bass and largemouth bass are abundant throughout the basin, and Lake Martin consistently ranks high in the percent of successful bass anglers. The Mobile, Alabama, and Coosa rivers are essentially a single river the name of which changes at the confluences of major tributaries. The park service said the valley closes once the Merced River at Pohono Bridge is expected to rise above . It began as a wintering habitat for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds in 1938. All coves are ideal spots for docking and exploring the natural environment. Then the river transitions gradually to a slope of .82 foot per mile. The Alabama River has three lock and dams between Montgomery and the Mobile River. Perdido. In the north of the Deep South state of Alabama is Little River Canyon National Preserve. Yes, there are innumerable places and points along the shore of Lake Guntersville spread across 120 kilometers for swimming, boating, and kayaking. During times of peak hydroelectric generation, the river contains Class V rapids until it reaches the Coastal Plain. Both lakes offer excellent bass fishing with largemouth bass being one of the most popular catches. A variety of sunfish (bream) may also be caught in the clear waters. Logan Martin has roughly 273 miles (439 km) of shoreline. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The river is highly meandering and flows for about 318.5 miles before uniting with the Tombigbee River to form the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, which discharge into Mobile Bay. The lake has a shoreline of 658 hectares and is known for the abundance of catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and bream. Although 90% of Weiss Lake is in Alabama, it is shared with the neighboring state of Georgia. There is one current state record and it used to be a world record! As the Tallapoosa River passes from Martin through Yates and Thurlow, the river flows over the Fall Line. Alabama Power Companys newest reservoir was built in the early 1980s. Smith Lake saw a handful of boating fatalities last year. This section includes Horseshoe Bend National Park, where in the spring of 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men attacked 1,000 Upper Creek warriors on the Tallapoosa River. Recreational, Scenic. The navigation of the Tallapoosa River which has its source in Paulding County, Georgia, and is about 265 miles (426km) long[3] is prevented by shoals and a 60-foot (18m) fall at Tallassee, a few miles north of its junction with the Coosa. Lake Martin has a 1200 km shoreline of wooded lands. It flows for approximately 652 miles and is formed on the eastern side of the city of Knoxville, at the confluence of the French Broad and Holston rivers. This 2,040-acre park preserves the site of the battle, according to the National Park Service Web site. Lake Walter F George was built in the 1950s and was renamed Lake Eufaula in 1963. Rain and snow melt filled in the deep crater to form the royal blue waters of Crater Lake. In having a National Preserve, Alabama almost has a national park. ), The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes In The United States, Whats the Largest Man Made Lake in Pennsylvania. The tornado resulted in seven deaths across the region. It has a total length of 235 miles. Lake Guntersville shares boundaries with the Tennessee River. Both natural and man-made structures abound in this lake, providing many opportunities for fishers to catch fish. Below, we will explore the 10 biggest lakes in Alabama. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. There are around 100 lakes in total in Alabama. The Alabama River has a carrying capacity that varies from 100,000 to 150,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The beautiful lake is in northeast Alabama on the Tennessee River created by the Guntersville Dam. Lewis Smith Lake is home to a diverse array of aquatic animals, from tiny invertebrates to large game fish. The deepest lake in the US is Crater Lake in Oregon at 1,943 feet deep. How old was George Clooney in Up In The Air? 200 square miles of watershed collects water and leads to this . The Chattahoochee River is the second-longest river in Alabama, covering a distance of 430 miles from its source in Jacks Gap, at the foot of Jacks Knob, to its mouth at the Apalachicola River. Yates Lake and Thurlow Lake Controlled by hydroelectric releases, the Tallapoosa River again has a riverine section below Harris Reservoir. Weiss Lake is a shallow lake formed by three rivers, namely Coosa, Chattooga, and Little rivers. Swimming is the most sought-after recreational activity in the lakes of southern Alabama. Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including eagle nests, sand beaches, restaurants, camping areas and popular islands such as Goat Island. Alongside the national preserve is also the smaller but more developed state park. The Holt Lock and Dam and Bankhead Lock and Dam in Lewis Smith Lake have owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers. With headwaters near Birmingham, the Cahaba flows southwest, then at Heiberger turns southeast and joins the Alabama River at the ghost town and former Alabama capital of Cahaba in Dallas County. Where is Alabama situated? Its length as measured by the United States Geological Survey is 318.5 miles (512.6km),[3] and by steamboat measurement, 420 miles (680km).[4]. 2. Located on the river near the Little River Canyon National Preserve is the DeSoto State Park. The deepest lake in Alabama is 264 feet deep. The Mississippi River Alabama has a lake of a similar name, the Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa River. It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. Little River Falls (U.S. National Park Service) [6], Claiborne Lock and Dam on the Alabama River, approximately 5 miles (8km) upriver from Claiborne, Monroe County, Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam on the Alabama River, approximately 15 miles (24km) east of Selma, Millers Ferry Lock and Dam on the Alabama River in Wilcox County, approximately 9.5 miles (15.3km) northwest of Camden. Dogs are allowed at Lake Lurleen as there are around 23 miles of trail roads across the park having different ranges of difficulties.Are you planning to spend your holidays camping here? The lake shares its boundaries with Georgia state; 90 percent of Weiss Lake is in Alabama, and only 10 percent of it is in Georgia. The lake has a depth of 264 feet and is one of the deepest lakes in the region. The stippled studfish is found in the Tallapoosa drainage and one Coosa River tributary, and the Tallapoosa shiner is only found in the Tallapoosa drainage and one Chattahoochee River tributary. With its diverse ecosystems and abundance of wildlife, the lake is truly a nature lovers paradise. How deep is the deepest part of Smith Lake Alabama? Popular species found in Neely Henry Lake are largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. The numerous boat ramps and deep water make this an excellent location for boating, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Many exclusive multi-million dollar residences are located on the lake; among them is the former property of Richard M. Scrushy, the founder and former chairman of HealthSouth Corporation, located in the Willow Point area of Parker Creek. 9 Best Lakes In Alabama - OnlyInYourState It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (map). The national preserve protects the spectacular Litter River Canyon and the pristine Little River as well as a number of rare and threatened species in the zone. [6], Another tornado went through the northern side of the lake on January 12, 2023. Bring your rod and reel because there are some trophy fish just waiting to be caught on some of the most popular fishing lakes. Have some feedback for us?