The Chattahoochee River runs from the mountains of northeast Georgia, southwestward by Atlanta and through its suburbs, then turns southward to form the southern half of the Georgia/Alabama state line, before merging with the Flint River to form the Florida panhandle's short Apalachicola River.

Several lakes, including Lake Lanier, Lake Walter F. George West Point Lake, and others are controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- providing flood control, drinking water, and recreation.

It is also the largest part of the ACF River Basin.