Watershed Signage
Habersham County possesses a natural resource that is completely unique in the state of Georgia. The Soque River Watershed is the geographic heart of the county and occupies approximately 50% of the county’s central land areas.

The Soque River Watershed, from beginning to end, flows completely within the boundaries of Habersham County. No other county in the state of Georgia can claim to possess a river basin of this size solely within its own borders. This unique physical attribute provides an opportunity for Habersham County to be closely identified with the Soque River, and as a result stand out from other counties.

This effort proposes to draw attention to Habersham County’s remarkable and rare natural resources through a simple signage effort at the boundaries of the watershed. Signs would be placed at approximately 8 priority locations on county and state routes. 

The Benefits
Statewide attention
The Soque River is a resource of statewide importance. It provides more than one-fourth of Metropolitan Atlanta’s drinking water supply from Lake Lanier. By drawing attention to this resource, tourism will benefit with the name recognition, linking Habersham County with the Soque Basin. In addition, state and federal grants for natural resource protection will increase.

Local embrace of natural resources
Most individuals in Habersham are unaware of their relationship to the Soque Basin and of the benefits that it provides to them. This effort will serve as an educational effort to make individuals both aware and proud of their local heritage.

Partnership opportunities
By working together with the Chamber, the County Commission, city governments and the DOT, the Habersham Community will make a strong demonstration of our ability to work cooperatively on natural resource conservation issues.