A Closer Look at Proctor Creek’s Ecology

Proctor Creek is located in northwestern Atlanta, flowing from downtown to the Chattahoochee River. Its many tributaries form branches that connect 38 Atlanta neighborhoods, including some of the most economically depressed areas of the city. The portion of the creek that the team visited near Bankhead MARTA Station was beautiful with granite boulders, rapids and lush tree cover surrounding the creek. While the creek’s conditions have improved, there’s a legacy of pollution, erosion, and high bacteria levels from regular stormwater flooding, sewage overflows, and illegal dumping over the years. As Proctor Creek flows west, it reaches a mostly industrial area before connecting with the Chattahoochee River. Environmental Justice activism has a long history in the area and continues to be a vehicle for addressing the health of Proctor Creek and all its residents.