Alabaha River Paddling Guide
The Alabaha River, a stream in the Satilla watershed, passes through a wooded swamp corridor draped with Spanish moss and bordered by palmetto stands.
Black water reflects a mesmerizing mirror of the gum cypress-dominated floodplain of the Alabaha. Flowing with slow to moderate current, this diminutive stream passes through a wooded swamp corridor draped with Spanish moss and bordered by palmetto stands occasionally penetrated by pine forests and agricultural development. Banks of 2-8 feet in height hold the river underneath a thick canopy of trees as it slides through Bacon and Pierce counties before emptying into the Satilla River east of Waycross.
TRIP SUMMARY: This is a canoeing guide to a 16.1 mile trip on the Alabaha river in the Satilla Watershed that can be divided into shorter trips by using alternative put-in and take-out points, or extended by adding segments on the Satilla River shown on the accompanying map and in another post on Satilla River Canoeing.
Class, smooth and tidal; Length, 16.1 miles; Time, 1-2 days; Level, N/A; Gradient, less than 2 feet per mile; Scenery, B+. VIEW SATILLA WATERSHED MAP
DESCRIPTION: Runnable below the GA 15 Bridge except in the late summer and fall, the Alabaha is similar to the Satilla in flora, wildlife and topography but is far smaller and less convoluted in its course. Its small size lends an air of privacy and increases the probability of deadfall encounters, the only hazard to navigation. Access is good, and extended trips onto the Satilla are possible after reaching the mouth of the Alabaha.
SHUTTLE: The last take-out for the Alabaha is located downstream of the confluence on the Satilla. To get there from Blackshear, go east on US 84/GA38. Take the first right immediately after crossing the Alabaha; follow this road to Old River Road and turn right. Continue straight onto the dirt road when the pavement takes a 90-degree turn to the right (turning into Voight Bridge Road). Continue straight for 5.2 miles until reaching Circle Drive on the right. Follow Circle Drive to Turkey Ridge Road (CR 312) and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) boat ramp. Intermediate access is available at Voight Bridge Road, the boat ramp just downstream at US 84 (southeast corner of the bridge), and at the southeast corner of the GA 15 bridge.
GAUGE: There is none. Call the Waycross Fisheries Office at 912-285-6094 for more information.
MAPS: USGS Maps: Blackshear East. County Maps: Pierce County.
