For this trip, we will be paddling between a series of oxbow lakes and will need to portage (walk between the lakes) at points during the day. These portages are only about 20-30 feet but can be muddy, so wear close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Oxbow lakes are past river channels that
The Fry-Down features fun for all ages with a carnival-like atmosphere, live music, amazing food, a climbing wall, hula-hoopers, face-painters, educational games, wildlife demonstrations, a beer garden and more! Come bring your family, bring your friends, and celebrate with us as we raise awareness on the importance of the Cahaba River, as well as party in celebration of all that river provides for this community, state & country!
We will take a trip (Location TBD at a later date) into the beautiful southern half of the Cahaba River watershed. Below Centreville, the Cahaba River is much wider and more meandering than the stretches in the central and northern regions of the watershed. Late Cretaceous melting of ice caps led to what is known as the Mississippi Embayment, a shallow sea that covered much of the southeastern US. As these waters receded they left behind soils that were much sandier and more easily eroded. The edge of this 65 million year old sea is called the "Fall Line" in Alabama. It is the boundary between the harder rocks of the Appalachian Highlands and the softer soils of the Coastal Plain. As the Cahaba River reaches these soft soils in the Coastal Plain, it is able to stretch and meander across the landscape more easily, leading to a wider river.
Join Friends of Pinchgut Creek for a Sunday afternoon full of fun on the mall in Trussville. This is a free event for the community offering 3 bluegrass bands, art vendors, bouncy houses, an educational animal show, and more. There will be plenty of fun and opportunities to learn about our beautiful Pinchgut creek, the Cahaba River headwaters, and the work FOPGC are doing to care for our part of the watershed. Bring your instruments because there will be time for some picking and playing.
Below Centreville, the Cahaba River is much wider and more meandering than the stretches in the central and northern regions of the watershed. Late Cretaceous melting of ice caps led to what is known as the Mississippi Embayment, a shallow sea that covered much of the southeastern US. As these waters receded they left behind soils that were much sandier and more easily eroded. The edge of this 65 million year old sea is called the "Fall Line" in Alabama. It is the boundary between the harder rocks of the Appalachian Highlands and the softer soils of the Coastal Plain. As the Cahaba River reaches these soft soils in the Coastal Plain, it is able to stretch and meander across the landscape more easily, leading to a wider river. The roughly 12 mile stretch we will paddle this weekend is as scenic and remote as any state wilderness area. The land along the river holds beautifully intact riparian forest leading to some spectacular wildlife.
This themed show will explore our relation to water and nature, embodied by the Cahaba River. The artistic process and the show will encourage artists and audience to immerse themselves in experiences with nature and in nature. We hope the artwork inspires people to value and protect the Cahaba, an essential resource.