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The Altamaha River is a major river in the U.S. state of Georgia. It flows generally eastward for 137 miles (220 km) from its origin at the confluence of the Oconee River and Ocmulgee River towards the Atlantic Ocean, where it empties into the ocean near Brunswick, Georgia. There are no dams directly on the Altamaha, though there are some on the Oconee and the Ocmulgee. Including its tributaries, the Altamaha River's drainage basin is about in size, qualifying it among the larger river basins of the US Atlantic coast.〔(The Altamaha River ), The Nature Conservancy in Georgia〕 It is reportedly the third largest contributor of fresh water to the Atlantic Ocean from North America.〔(Altamaha River ), The New Georgia Encyclopedia〕 Including its longest tributary (the Ocmulgee River) in length calculations as is standard USGS practice, its length of places it seventh on the list of U.S. rivers entirely within one state, behind only four Alaskan rivers, the Sacramento-Pit River in California, and the Trinity River in Texas.〔USGS and World Facts and Figures (John Wiley and Sons).〕 The beginning of the Colorado River of Texas is just within New Mexico. The long Mobile-Alabama-Coosa River system, mostly in Alabama, originates a short distance within Georgia. The Altamaha River traverses a broad area of low population density with few significant towns or cities along its course. There are some along its upper tributaries, such as the fall line cities of Milledgeville on the Oconee and Macon on the Ocmulgee. Centuries ago, riverboats used the Altamaha to reach those towns and the plantations founded along the rivers, which were the main transportation routes. According to the USGS, variant and historical names of the Altamaha River include A-lot-amaha, Alatahama, Alatamaha, Allamah, Frederica River, Rio Al Tama, Rio de Talaje, and Talaxe River.〔Course info mainly from and (Topozone.com )〕 The 1,759-megawatt Plant Hatch nuclear power plant sits on the southern bank of the Altamaha River in Appling County.〔(Southern Company )〕 A Rayonier paper mill that manufactures cellulose fibers used in plastics and absorbent materials for diapers, tampons and other products is located on the southern bank of the Altamaha River in Wayne County.〔(Rayonier )〕 ==Course== The Altamaha River originates at the confluence of the Oconee River and Ocmulgee River, near Lumber City. At its source, the Altamaha River forms the border between Jeff Davis County to the south and Montgomery County to the north. Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area occupies the southern floodplain of the river's first few miles, after which the river marks the boundary between Toombs County to the north and Appling County to the south. On the north side, Toombs County gives way to Tattnall County, in which the Ohoopee River joins the Altamaha. The Big Hammock Wildlife Management Area and Big Hammock Natural Area are located along the Altamaha at the Ohoopee confluence. Big Hammock Natural Area is a National Natural Landmark site, noted for its ecological biodiversity and many rare plant species, including Georgia plume. Below Big Hammock, the tributary Beards Creek joins the Altamaha River from the north, after which the river marks the border between Long County to the north and Wayne County to the south. The Altamaha passes through Griffin Ridge Wildlife Management Area before flowing by Doctortown, near Jesup. A wide and swampy floodplain surrounds the river in this area. Several miles below Doctortown Wayne County gives way to McIntosh County on the north side of the river. From this point to the river's mouth there are numerous wildlife management areas. The Sansaville Wildlife Management Area lies on the south side of the river, while the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area lies on the north and extends down to the river's mouth at Altmaha Sound. Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge occupies Wolf Island on the Atlantic coast, north of Altamaha Sound. In its last several miles, the Altamaha River marks the boundary between McIntosh County on the north and Glynn County on the south. The town of Darien lies just north of the Altamaha River's mouth. Several miles to the south lies the larger city of Brunswick. St. Simons Island lies on the south side of the Altamaha estuary.〔 The estuary of the Altamaha River, where fresh and salt water mix, is about in size, one of the largest intact, relatively non-degraded estuary on the Atlantic coast.〔 The Altamaha River Delta has been designated as a site of regional importance〔(Altamaha River Delta | WHSRN.org ), WHSRN〕 to shorebirds by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN).〔(WHSRN: A Strategy for Saving Shorebirds ), Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Altamaha River」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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