The Open Pond near Two Egg, Florida

The body of water seen in the distance here is known in the Two Egg area as the "Open Pond." Long a popular fishing hole in the Cox community, it is one of the few area landmarks shown on the original survey plats of Jackson County.

A section line crosses the pond near the route of the elevated road seen on the opposite side of the pond. When they passed through the area during the 1820s, the original surveyors followed this line while marking off their survey plats. The area was then open woods, but the pond was shown on their drawings.

Scientific studies show that the Open Pond and numerous other ponds in the area are found along the course of an old channel of the Chattahoochee River. Over time, the river moved east to its present course, leaving behind the winding channel dotted with small lakes and ponds.

Prior to the construction of the Jim Woodruff Dam and flooding of Lake Seminole during the 1950s, flood waters from the river would sometimes flow into the old channel and re-connect the ponds, leaving area residents stranded on spots of high ground.

The Steamboat Apalachee

This faded photograph shows the sternwheel riverboat Apalachee, one of the steam-powered paddlewheelers that used to run up and down the Chattahoochee River.

These boats were of vital importance to the early settlers of the Two Egg area. They brought needed items up from Apalachicola or down from Columbus, Georgia. They also provided transport for cotton, tobacco, corn and other crops raised by local farmers. In the days before trucks and the railroads, the farmers had no other way of getting their crops to market except by boat.

From the 1820s until the 1940s, scores of riverboats traveled on the Chattahoochee, Flint and Apalachicola Rivers. The first to make the trip was the Fanny and the last was the John W. Callahan, Jr. These boats edged up to the bank at places like Neal's Landing, Tennile Landing, Peri Landing, Parramore Landing, Bellevue Landing and Butler Landing to serve the residents of the area. They also used these landings to take on firewood cut by local residents and sold to the boat companies. The wood, in turn, was used to fire the boilers and keep the steamboats running.

The arrival of the railroad in Jackson County during the 1880s followed by the arrival of modern highways and large trucks during the 20th century spelled the end of the boats and they rapidly disappeared.

River Wars will impact Two Egg

I usually stay away from political issues here, but I want to weigh in on the current debate that is swirling about the use of water from the Chattahoochee River. The outcome will affect our area and I encourage you to educate yourself and voice your opinion at well.

The low water conditions that prevail throughout the South right now are putting a major strain on Lake Lanier, the upper most of the lakes on the Chattahoochee River. Lanier is a major source of water for the city of Atlanta, but also is the primary source for water coming down the Chattahoochee to Lake Seminole.

At issue is whether more water should be held back at Lanier for the use of Atlanta. This, of course, would mean lower water levels for the entire rest of the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola system. In other words, the rest of us.

Since many lakes and ponds in east Jackson County rise and fall with the water level of Lake Seminole, a lowering of water levels in the lake will translate to even more dry conditions in an already dry area. In addition, low water levels in Lake Seminole and on the Apalachicola River will mean reduced and more dangerous recreational opportunities. The lake is a major economic engine for the Sneads area. Lowering the Apalachicola River, another obvious effect of holding back water at Lanier, would mean reduced flow going into Apalachicola Bay, home of one of the finest oyster fisheries in the world.

It now looks as if the U.S. government is leaning in favor of holding back the water. I strongly oppose doing so. The wants and economic needs of Atlanta should not outweigh those of the entire rest of the river system. The river water has been maintained according to its current formula for many years. There should be no changes unless all three states impacted (Florida, Alabama and Georgia) agree.