The Chattahoochee River, in its present form, has a deep geological history that spans at least 100 million years. This makes it an ancient and enduring feature of the landscape.
A River Shaped by Time
While rivers continuously evolve and change course over immense stretches of time, the current path of the Chattahoochee River has been established for an exceptionally long period. Its age reflects the slow, powerful forces of geology that have shaped the Earth over eons.
- Ancient Origins: The "at least 100 million years" refers to the long-standing nature of its current channel and flow patterns. This means that the river has been flowing in a largely similar direction and through much of the same terrain since the mid-Cretaceous period.
- Geological Persistence: Such longevity indicates that the river's course has been remarkably stable, carving out its path through various geological upheavals and climatic shifts over millions of years.
Understanding the Chattahoochee's age provides insight into the dynamic, yet incredibly persistent, nature of natural waterways and their role in shaping the Earth's surface.
