River Course
The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County, Georgia, 40 miles west of Atlanta, at an elevation of about 1,145 feet. It flows southwesterly 195 miles into Alabama and then takes a westward turn at Uphapee Creek. The Tallapoosa continues for 40 miles to join the Coosa River near Wetumpka.
From its source, the river falls at a rate of 12 feet per mile for the first 15 miles, then descends at 3.4 feet per mile. In the lower reach from Thurlow Dam to its mouth, the river falls at a rate of 1.6 feet per mile. (Corps) The river’s width varies from 250 feet to 700 feet and has banks 20 feet high along the flood plain. (GA DNR)