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People and canoes are shuttled to the Terrapin Creek bank for a paddling trip on Saturday.
Terrapin Outdoor Center hosted the event. The center is located just off Highway 9, between Piedmont and Centre. Terrapin Outdoor Center,which rents and sells kayaks and canoes, outfitted over 100 people for the Saturday trip.
The big turnout also included church groups, boy scouts, schools,local organizations and other interested people.
“It starts getting busy this time of year, and it’s not unusual for us to have this many people to show up,” said Mike Warren, owner of
Terrapin Outdoor Center. “We get people from all around and from as far away as Michigan.”
Terrapin Creek is a tributary within the Coosa River Basin and is one of the many outdoor attractions that Cherokee County has to offer. The creek begins in the Talladega National Forest in Cleburne County, flows through Northern Calhoun County, and ends in Cherokee County.
The Terrapin Creek trip is only one of dozens of similar events CRBI conducts each year. Most of the trips are aimed at raising awareness of the assets the Coosa River Basin offers. By organizing events such as paddle trips, the organization is able to reach out to people and inform them of the issues that are relevant to conservation, renewal,and legislation regarding Coosa River Basin water systems.
The Coosa River Basin includes water systems located in Southeastern Tennessee, North Central Georgia, and Northeastern Alabama. It is one of the most biologically diverse watersheds in the country.
CRBI is a 501c3 grassroots environmental organization. The designation basically means the organization is considered charitable, and its means aren’t for profit.
CRBI has been around since 1992 and has been adding accomplishments to its resume since then. The organization has been responsible for making sure the Environmental Protection Agency upholds stipulations stated within the Clear Water Act, gaining a $500,000 settlement against a major retailer that protected streams and wildlife, stopping a carpet manufacturer’s waste from being dumped into the Chatooga River, training citizens to monitor water quality and many other notable accomplishments.
CRBI is also an international member of the Waterkeeper Alliance and is a member of the Alabama Rivers Alliance.
CRBI has made several trips to Cherokee County to paddle the Terrapin area. The journey has beautiful views of the creek, foothills of the Cherokee County area, wildlife, and dense vegetation. The trip offers class 1 rapids as well as calmer, more relaxed stretches.
Depending on your speed and stops, the trip Terrapin Outdoor Center offers will take around 3-4 hours for completion. Many people enjoy the lazy, scenic areas, while others like the rush of approaching rapids.
Terrapin Creek offers something for anglers, too. The creek has been a popular spot among fisherman from all around and boasts several species of fish.
Several people were spotted relaxing with a pole along the shore on Saturday, as others tried their luck floating in their kayak. Many of the kayaks and canoes were provided by Terrapin Outdoor Center.
The center has been active for 16 years, offering trips along the Terrapin. It has also worked with CRBI in their effort to enable more access to Alabama’s waterways.
“We’ve enjoyed coming to Terrapin Creek and working with Terrapin Outdoor,” said Alan Crawford, Adventure Coordinator for CRBI. “We try to promote the awareness of the issues and getting people access to waterways in the Cossa River Basin.”
CRBI has activities planned throughout the year, especially the summer months. All CRBI’s events are geared toward environmental issues, but don’t always include being in the water.
This Saturday, CRBI will be teaming up with Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga., for the Keep Our Rivers Green Medication Drop-Off. The effort seeks to reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals found in drinking water due to the discard of household medications.
The same day, CRBI will be having a paddle trip on the Oostanaula River.
For more information about CRBI, how to help, or to attend an event,visit www.coosa.org. You can also contact CRBI by calling 706-232-2724.
For more information about Terrapin Creek or how to arrange a trip with Terrapin Outdoor Center, visit www.canoeshop.net.
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