Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Louisiana Waterthrush
Another mile down the road, after wading across a small stream, you come to Hargrove
Shoals, which contains the largest stand of Cahaba lilies in the world. When in full bloom,
the lilies here provide a natural wonder to rival any on Earth. Bring a pair of old tennis shoes
and a walking stick for balance, and walk out into the water among the lilies. Under normal
spring conditions, the water is shallow (rarely more than two feet deep), and you can walk
among the flowers and smell their perfume in the air. Be careful, some of the rocks are slip-
pery. Flyfishing for bass, including the Alabama spotted bass, is very good here.
The Cahaba is an extremely beautiful and biologically significant river, but it is in serious
danger. Pollution from Birmingham area sewers, industrial discharges, agricultural chemic-
als, development runoff, and siltation are literally killing the river and its unique lifeforms.
The amount of the river that can sustain life is reduced each year; yet, the state and federal
governments adamantly refuse to do anything to protect the Cahaba; too many large busi-
nesses and government bodies in the Birmingham area depend upon polluting the Cahaba in
order to make money. Further, virtually none of the land along the banks of the river is pro-
tected. However, there are people working to protect this special river. For more information
about the Cahaba or for information on canoe trips being run throughout the year, contact The
Cahaba River Society, 2717 7th Avenue, South, Suite 205, Birmingham, AL 35233.
TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST
Talladega National Forest is the largest in Alabama and is divided into two widely separ-
ated parts. The Oakmulgee Ranger District is located south of Tuscaloosa and west of I-65;
the Shoal Creek and Talladega Ranger Districts are located together east of I-65 in the highest
