New water trails and safety features added to the Georgia River Guide free mobile app

Georgia River Guide free mobile app updates include real-time warnings at the top of each water trail, warnings for each affected access point, and scheduled USACE or Georgia Power dam releases.

The free mobile app for canoe and kayak paddlers now has real-time warnings about water levels and e coli on Georgia water trails thanks to support from the Georgia Recreational Trails Program 

ATHENS, GA, June 30, 2025 – Paddlers seeking new river adventures can now discover 40+ water trails on the Georgia River Guide and see real-time warnings ranging from water levels to bacteria levels recommended for recreation.

 These new updates in the Georgia River Guide app seek to help inform the 14,000+ people who have already downloaded the app, as well as new users seeking to be informed on when water levels are low or high, or when e coli bacterial levels exceed health safety levels. By helping paddlers choose the most enjoyable and safe adventure for their day, Georgia Rivers hopes to promote recreation across the state and better connect paddlers with new waterways.

New features include:

• Real-time warnings for low or high water based on recommended runnable levels and USGS gauges
• Real-time warnings about e coli bacteria levels based on USGS gauges
• Access to dam release schedules according to USACE and Georgia Power published dam releases
• Fishing guides

Additional rivers added to database:

• Brier Creek
• Chestatee River
• Ebenezer Creek
• Flat Shoals Creek
• Lazer Creek

Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network. Water trails are similar to hiking trails using rivers and streams. Paddlers all across Georgia learn about these water trails on the now more intuitive and interactive Georgia River Guide mobile app. The free digital trip planning tool empowers river recreationists to discover nearby water trails, learn about safe public access points, river mileage between accesses, points of interest, nearby shuttle services and more in a few simple taps. 

The Recreational Trails Program recognized the Georgia Rivers Guide app as a top resource for connecting paddlers to water trails with a $60,000 grant to enhance and update the app with more interactive safety features to equip paddlers with real-time safety data.The grant from Georgia DNR requires a $20,000 match from other donors. If you would like to contribute to the app development fund and support this matching funding, please donate at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/watertrailsapp

“The Georgia River Guide app helps paddlers access real time information so they can ‘know before they go’ on Georgia’s water trails,” says Andrea White, Georgia Rivers community programs coordinator. “We are excited to be able to bring real time information from USGS river gauges to inform paddlers when water levels are too low or too high or the bacteria levels are not advisable for recreation. We have also added information about dam releases and fishing guides.”

The Georgia River Guide app aims to empower individuals to experience Georgia’s waterways, and, ultimately, to advocate for healthy, clean waters. “People protect what they feel connected with,” says Rena Ann Peck, Georgia Rivers executive director. “The more people we connect to Georgia’s rivers, the more people will advocate for their rivers in Georgia. We aim to inspire all Georgians and visitors in Georgia to fight to protect Georgia rivers.” 

The Georgia River Guide app is always free to users. Those passionate about increasing resources for outdoor recreation are invited to support further developments on the Georgia River Guide app. Donate to support the app at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/watertrailsapp

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About Georgia Rivers:

Georgia Rivers is a statewide 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network,  maps rivers and provides  the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Georgia Rivers connects people to Georgia rivers by hosting paddle trips across the state, including the signature week-long Paddle Georgia camping adventure hosted on a different Georgia river each year, and kayak training and safety classes. Georgia Rivers also serves as fiscal sponsor of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Georgia Water Coalition.

Visit garivers.org to learn more about paddle trips, water trails and ways you can protect Georgia rivers.