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Posted: 9:35 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012

New report ranks Hooch one of most endangered U.S. rivers

chattahoochee river
associated press
chattahoochee river

By Judd Hickinbotham

ATLANTA —

The Chattahoochee River finds itself on a new list that Georgia residents probably don't want to see -- one of the ten most endangered rivers in the country.

The Washington-based group American Rivers ranks the Chattahoochee third on its annual list, set to be released Tuesday. The ranking is based on future plans for the river.

Two different reservoirs plan to drain a total of 140 million gallons per day from the Hooch, pending permits.

Local government officials say Glades Reservoir in Hall County and Bear Creek Reservoir in south Fulton would use the withdraws to deliver the best option for drinking water to residents.

But American Rivers says the amount of water that would be taken from the river is based on inflated population numbers, and the plans are more about development than drinking water.

The Chattahoochee has made the American Rivers ranking three other times, but it's the first time the Hooch has appeared on the list since 2000.