Over 30 Years of Advocating for Clean Water
Since 1993 CRBI has protected, preserved and restored of one of the most biodiverse watersheds in North America, the upper Coosa River basin.
Researchers call the upper Coosa River basin a “globally significant biological treasure.”
From Southeastern Tennessee through Northwest Georgia and into Northeast Alabama, the upper Coosa is home to incredible biodiversity.
Thirty (30) different species of fishes, mussels, snails and crayfishes call these waters—and no where else—home.
Locate Your River
The Etowah
The Etowah River drains a total of 1,858 square miles of North Georgia including Atlanta’s northern suburbs in Forsyth, Cherokee, Fulton, Cobb and Bartow counties.
It begins as a tiny spring at Hightower Gap along the Appalachian Trail, about 15 miles northwest of Dahlonega and then flows 160 miles to Rome where it meets the Oostanaula to form the Coosa River.
At least four species of fish, a crayfish and an aquatic insect are endemic to the Etowah system (found in the Etowah and nowhere else in the world).
The Oostanaula
Where the Conasauga and Coosawattee Rivers Meet…
The Conasauga, flowing from the Cohutta Mountains on the Georgia – Tennessee border joins the Coosawattee from the Blue Ridge Mountains in central North Georgia to form the Oostanaula River.
This river system is home to many critical species including the endangered interrupted rocksnail.
The Coosa
Formed by the confluence of the Etowah and the Oostanaula River in Rome, Georgia the Coosa flows 600 miles to the Mobile River and Mobile Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. From Rome, the Coosa winds to Weiss Dam near Centre, Alabama. Below Weiss Dam, it merges with the Tallapoosa, forming the Alabama River.
Notably, the Coosa River is home to one of the few populations of naturally-reproducing striped bass in the country. Each spring, thousands of striped bass journey into the Coosa and Oostanaula rivers in Rome from Weiss Lake to spawn.
Achievements
Halted PFAS Pollution in Drinking Water
Over 1 Million Dollars to Restoration
Allocated State Funding for Clean Ups
Meet Our Team
JESSE DEMONBREUN-CHAPMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & RIVERKEEPER
Jesse joined CRBI in December 2016 as Executive Director and Riverkeeper. He previously served two and a half years at Ogeechee Riverkeeper based in Savannah where he worked as the organization’s outreach coordinator. Prior to moving to Savannah, Jesse worked for a refugee resettlement agency in Stone Mountain, served as a director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia for four years, and also served for a short time on the CRBI Board of Directors. He is a 2008 graduate of Berry College where he studied Biology and English. Jesse serves on the Leadership Team for the Georgia Water Coalition and for Waterkeepers Alabama. He lives in Rome with his wife Ashley, daughter Lilliana, and son Felix. In free time, he loves to run, skateboard, and mountain bike.
COURTNEE DAVENPORT, OUTREACH PROGRAMS MANAGER
Courtnee joined CRBI during the summer of 2020 as the Bacterial Monitoring Intern. After interning for four years and earning her BS in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University (Ecampus) in 2022, she now serves as the Outreach Programs Manager for the organization. She is also the Executive Director for the Georgia Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils. Originally from North Carolina, Courtnee’s upbringing as a military child led her family to Rome in 2004. She credits the biennial cross-country drives of her youth as the seed that grew into her love for the natural world. Currently residing in Rome with her English Cocker Spaniel, Ladybird Disco Fern, she enjoys searching for rocks in stream beds, taking pictures of moss, ferns, and other landscapes, reading, and cross-stitching.
Current Board Members
Brad Swancy, President
Owen Kinney, Vice President
Blair Carter, Treasurer
Amos Tuck, Secretary
Frank Harbin, Immediate Past President
Caleb Babington
Georgia Holt
Doc Kibler
Ben Levy
Joe Montgomery
Katie Owens
Marie Pieri
Kipp Slicker
Bill Summer
Kikki Tucker
Skylar Yearous
5 Broad St.
Rome,
GA 30161
(706) 232-2724
info@coosa.org