| The Jacks and Conasauga Rivers originate as small springs and seeps high in the Cohutta Wilderness of Fannin and Gilmer Counties, Georgia. Elevations range from 4000’ in the granite uplifts typical of this area of the southern Appalachian Mountains. This Wilderness portion of the streams and rivers is a cold water fishery and sustains quality trout populations of wild fish: rainbow, brown, and brook trout.
The streams flow northward toward Tennessee, but unlike other nearby watersheds, they do not merge into the Tennessee River Basin. As the rivers descend in elevation, they warm slightly and begin to support cool water species such as the Coosa Bass. The rivers flow from the Wilderness and continue through the National Forests near the Polk County Tennessee line.
The Conasauga and Jacks merge at the Georgia – Tennessee border at an elevation of approximately 1100 ft. This confluence area is in a transition area of geology, vegetation, water chemistry and stream gradient, all of which combine to provide a significant boost in the aquatic biodiversity. At the confluence area up to 30 species of fish can be found in the larger pools, up from 4 species in the headwaters area.
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