Great Story About Our Cahaba River

The August issue of “Smithsonian” magazine came yesterday. That magazine has a long history of publishing prestigious, very interesting and educational articles.

Guess what takes up seven whole pages of this month’s issue? It is a great story that starts on page 28 entitled, “River of Riches.” The subtitle says, “The Cahaba River, an unsung Alabama waterway, turns out to be one of the most biologically diverse places in the nation.” The author is Michelle Nijhuis. However, spread out over seven pages are 15 beautiful photographs, all in color, as photographed by legendary Birmingham photographer Beth Maynor Young. She has spent much time photographing the Cahaba, especially the showy Cahaba lily. They thrive in clean, clear, rapidly flowing water.

The article, a long one, tells us that the 190-mile long Cahaba River is home to many rare species, some of which were thought to be extinct.

Personally, I have never been on that part of the Cahaba River where the Cahaba lily is located, but I have always been fascinated by that river. The very beginning of the Cahaba is not far from where we live in NE Trussville. You can cross the very upper reaches by driving across Deerfoot Parkway.

I encourage you to check it out. It is a very complimentary article.

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