Cahaba Blueway

The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) launched the Cahaba Blueway initiative over six years ago dedicating staff and resources to empower the sustainable management of Alabama’s longest substantially free-flowing river as a marketable outdoor recreation destination. UACED’s work elevated the public awareness, provided the design guidelines for the needed infrastructure, and supported local programing.

The Cahaba Blueway program will celebrate the fall of 2018 with the official designation of 13 Cahaba Blueway access points, installation of Cahaba Blueway wayfinding signage, and the launch of a website at cahabablueway.org. The Alabama Trails Foundation is working closely with UACED as financial manager for the Cahaba Blueway funds. Additional supporting organizations include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Shelby County, and the Alabama Trails Commission.

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Project Background

The Cahaba is one of the most biologically diverse and beautiful rivers in North America, and it has tremendous potential to become a broadly valued local recreational asset and a nationally recognized ecotourism destination. The Cahaba Blueway initiative of The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) is designed to remove the informational and physical barriers that currently prevent people from experiencing the Cahaba, and create a program that will draw people to the river from near and far. Creating the Cahaba Blueway will not only improve quality of life in nearby communities by enhancing access to green space, but it will provide expanded opportunities for hospitality and retail business, as we have seen in towns along similar “water trails” that already exist. Sustainably developing the Cahaba for recreational access will increase the river’s value as an economic asset, and we believe this effect, combined with an increasing number of people who come to know and appreciate the river, will also lead to better conservation outcomes for this outstanding natural resource.

Project Updates

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