The City of Irondale has been a leader in recognizing the value of the Cahaba River and Shades Creek to the quality of life of their people and the health of their economy. Irondale has purchased significant properties to increase trails, open space protection, and public access along the river. Cahaba River Society has been honored to receive funding support from Mayor James Stewart and the Irondale City Council, which they recently renewed with a generous grant in June. 

The city’s support helps Cahaba River Society (CRS) focus many of our programs in Irondale, where there are 2 important public river accesses, at Grants Mill and Moon River. In the past year, we led 13 workdays at Irondale waterways and nature spaces, involving 293 volunteers in trash cleanups, invasive plant removal, and native plant restoration. With CRS Volunteer of the Year Ginny Brown, our stewardship volunteers hand-removed 4,000 pounds of kudzu from the Irondale Riverwalk trail, avoiding the broadcast spraying of herbicides. We’ve been an expert resource to the city and its businesses for improved stormwater design to protect the river from excessive runoff, such as at the Mercedes dealership at I-459. We’ve supported residents in working effectively with the city to address stormwater and pollution problems in their neighborhoods. 

Our canoe recreation program, along with the Cahaba Blueway water trail and our partnership with the Alabama Scenic River Trail to place mile markers along the river, promote the Cahaba in Irondale as a recreation destination. And in the bigger picture, Irondale’s support also helps us develop our new role with Cahaba Riverkeeper as legal guardians of the 7,000 acres of Birmingham Water Board land that helps keep our drinking water abundant and clean, benefitting not only the Irondale residents on the BWW system but all BWW customers. We appreciate Irondale’s love for the river and support for Cahaba River Society.