This section of the Cahaba River introduces you to the beautiful broad shoals that are common in Bibb County and that are home to the Cahaba lily, which blooms each year in early to mid-May. In summer, the water may be low enough that you will have to walk through these shoals. However, during most of the rest of the year, the shoals should be passable without having to leave your boat. There are also a number of 1 ft. drops along the way in this section that could also make you drag in lower water. You will encounter the first large shoal a little less than a mile from Tate's Landing at Half-Mile Shoals. About .5 miles after Half-Mile Shoals, you will paddle through Lily Shoals, followed by several small drops alogside a long island. Stay to the right-hand side of the river for the best path through these drops. Between miles 4.5 and 5 there is a string of islands situated among shoals and small rapids. This area is very picturesque and teeming with wildife. At mile 5.9 you will encounter old stone bridge supports with several small drops on the right and a single chute near the left support with a drop of about 2 ft. In higher water, ther is a powerful eddy beind the foundation of the left-side support, so take care to this area during such times. The bridge that stood at this location was 1,200 feet long and 110 feet high over the Cahaba, and was on the railroad line connecting Blocton with Birmingham. On December 27, 1896, a tragic train accident occurred here. If you would like to find out more about this accident, visit http://oakhill-online.blogspot.com/2012/04/cahaba-bridge-train-wreck-by-terri.html. The take-out is at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Regfuge boat ramp about 250 yds. past the Bibb County Road 24 bridge on your right