If you love exploring Alabama’s rivers, get ready for a groundbreaking new tool that will change the way we understand and protect one of our most treasured natural resources, the Cahaba River.

Cahaba Riverkeeper has just launched “Cahabapedia“, an interactive digital map and data repository that provides a comprehensive look at the health and history of the Cahaba watershed.

What is Cahabapedia?

Grants Mill — Cahaba River Walk. (Freshwater Land Trust)

Data from Cahaba Riverkeeper’s Swim Guide, begun in 2014, will be included to provide years of water quality and bacteriological data at popular recreation sites on the river, like Old Overton and Moon River.

Through Cahabapedia, users can view things like:

Water quality information
Hydrological + recreational data
Regional areas of interest
+ other continuously-updated information about the Cahaba River

“From our beginning in 2009, Cahaba Riverkeeper has focused on collecting reliable scientific data on the health of the river, its abundant biodiversity, and the health of the people who visit the river to swim, boat and fish.

We collaborated with Savannah Riverkeeper and Newfields of Atlanta to create the platform for Cahabapedia and their help was crucial in bringing this dream to fruition. We appreciate the support of the Mosaic Foundation, Water Foundation, Colonial Pipeline Foundation, and our members and donors who recognize the value that Cahabapedia will have for all citizens.”
Dr. Myra Crawford, Founder + Executive Director, Cahaba Riverkeeper

Vital resource for the Cahaba River

Cahaba Lilies at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. Taken Memorial Day 5/27/2024 — Cahaba River. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

According to a recent press release, Cahabapedia was conceived during Cahaba Riverkeeper’s response to the 2016 Colonial Pipeline spills on the Cahaba.

This crisis revealed vital information about the river is scattered among many federal, state, and local agencies and organizations—meaning it took valuable time and resources to collect the vital information they needed.

With this new resource, Cahabapedia hopes to serve as an all-in-one place for data about the river’s history and development.

“Cahabapedia will allow us to study the Cahaba watershed in a comprehensive way and inform future work.

One of the first segments will be the Little Cahaba River from Lake Purdy to its confluence with the river’s main stem to demonstrate changes in bank stability, vegetation, and impervious cover. This area is especially important because it includes the primary source for the Birmingham area’s drinking water supply.”
David Butler, Cahaba Riverkeeper + Staff Attorney

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