The Soque River rambles through Habersham County – a pleasing backdrop to life in the foothills that offers so much more than what the eye sees. The river provides world-class fishing, drinking water, and water that allows local industries to operate.
Self-contained within the borders of Habersham County, the Soque’s impact flows well beyond the county line. The river supplies an estimated one-sixth of the inflow to Lake Lanier – Atlanta’s main drinking water reservoir.
Protecting this natural resource, and the watershed that feeds into it, is the mission of the nonprofit Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA).
Since 1998, the SRWA has played a big role in preserving, restoring, and supporting the local watershed that extends from Tray Mountain to the Chattahoochee River. The watershed consists of all the land from which a network of creeks, branches, and major tributaries drain into the river. It covers approximately 74% of Habersham’s land area.
Following a lull in activities due to the pandemic, SRWA says it’s excited about its “revitalization” with the hiring of a new leadership team. The association’s eight-member board has hired Janet Westervelt as the new SRWA Executive Director and Jeff Miller as the SRWA Protection Specialist.
The community is invited to meet Westervelt and Miller during a special gathering later this month.
SRWA will host a ‘meet and greet’ from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on October 27 at the Clarkesville Library. The event will also offer the community an opportunity to learn more about how SRWA benefits Habersham County.
The Clarkesville Library is located at 178 East Green Street.
