River Facts

Did you know...

• Alabama ranks 7th in the United States for its number of stream miles. Alabama has 77,242 miles of river and stream channels

• Alabama has 3,627,600 acres of wetland and 563,000 acres of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.

• 33.5 trillion gallons of water are withdrawn annually from streams, rivers, and reservoirs to supply drinking water to 56% of the population in Alabama.

• There are 16 hydroelectric power dams and 16 navigational dams (5 of which are also hydroelectric) in Alabama.

• The Southeastern United States has the world's greatest diversity of temperate freshwater fishes. Alabama has 303 freshwater species of fish, 20 of which are endemic to Alabama.

• Alabama's rivers are amongst the most biologically diverse waterways in the world. 38% of North America's fish species, 43% of its freshwater gill-breathing snails, 51% of its freshwater turtle species, and 60% of its freshwater mussel species are native to Alabama's rivers.

• There are more species of fish in the Cahaba River alone than in the entire state of California!

• Consider the economic value of clean waters. The Alabama Fisheries Association estimates that Alabama's water based recreation industry brings over $1 billion per year into the state's economy.