Whether you’re looking to cool off or seeking solitude while canoeing, there’s no need to drive to an out-of-town destination because local waterways provide an abundance of activities as well.

New Echota Rivers Alliance (NERA), a Calhoun based nonprofit aimed at preserving and protecting the local rivers will offer eight guided paddle trips on the Conasauga, Coosa-wattee and Oostanaula Rivers.

“Most people don’t realize the rivers we have here in Gordon County. We promote recreational use of the rivers and offer a great lineup of trips for the summer,” said Dan McBee, NERA president. “We welcome anyone who wants to get out there and try it. Anybody can participate.”

The next NERA paddle is Saturday, May 28th in Calhoun on the Conasagua River.

“It’s one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America. You’ll see a great variety of plant life as well as just beautifully scenery,” McBee said.

The trip is approximately 4 hours and the trip will allow local residents to see beautiful mountain scenery, several Native American fish weirs and other historic sites.

McBee says NERA is especially excited about a July trip planned on the Cartecay near Ellijay, saying that it will fea-ture some whitewater.

“This will be our first time out on the Cartecay River. We will have some rapids, class I and class II, which we will go through. There’s beautiful mountain scenery,” he said.

“Most of our trips in Calhoun feature flatwater and we wanted to diversify a little and have some whitewater in there.”

The 4-hour long Cartecay River trip will take place on July 23 rd and launch into the river at Blackberry Mountain.

The NERA web site, www.neranow.org, provides a place where participants can rent canoes and kayaks, as well as see a full list of river activities on the local rivers.

“A unique section of the website is our trips section. On this page, you can review our trips, register for a trip, reserve a canoe/kayak, pay online and even print out a map from your home to the launch site,” McBee said.

Upcoming River Events

May 28: Peacock Alley paddle on the Conasauga River

June 18: Carters Dam & Down on the Coosawattee River

July 9: Tilton to Hwy. 225 paddle on the Oostanaula River

July 23: the Ellijay paddle on the Cartecay River

Aug. 13: Battle of Resaca paddle on the Oostanuala River

Sept. 17: Horne Mountain paddle on the Oostanuala River

Oct. 1: Mussel paddle on the Oostanauala River

Oct. 15: Fall foliage paddle on the Coosawatte River

For additional information about these events, visit online or email Dan McBee at mcbee.dan3@gmail.com.

Cool off on Gordon County’s rivers