I paddled upstream for about one and half hours. Most of the river looked like this, fairly narrow, shallow and black. There were lots of leaners and I could see numerous submerged trees and branches.
"Approximately 860 square miles of land comprise the Blackwater River watershed, including the land area of its three major tributaries - Big Juniper Creek, Big Coldwater Creek and Pond Creek.
The river mainly flows through protected forests including Conecuh National Forest, Blackwater River State Forest and Blackwater River State Park. However, pockets of managed agricultural and silvicultural lands and areas of urban and suburban development, including the communities of Bradley, Baker, Jay, Holt, Harold, Milton and Munson, are also located in the river's watershed."
Source: Rivers of Alabama