The Oostanaula River (pronounced "oo-stuh-NA-luh") is a principal tributary of the Coosa River, about long, formed by the confluence of the Conasauga and Coosawattee in northwestern Georgia in the United States. Via the Coosa and Alabama rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mobile River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Etymology Folklore explanations for its name state that Oostanaula is derived from a Cherokee language term meaning "rock that bars the way". Other similar explanations include "shoally river", and "a rock ledge across a stream". Course The Oostanaula River is formed in northern Gordon County, Georgia, by the confluence of the Conasauga and Coosawattee rivers, and flows generally south-southwestwardly through Gordon and Floyd counties, past the towns of Resaca and Calhoun. It joins the Etowah River in Downtown Rome to form the Coosa River. Tributaries Alan Creek Conasauga River Coosawattee River Johns Creek Variant names According to the GNIS, the river has also been known as: Estanola River Estanole River Oostenauleh River Oostennallah River Oostinawley River Oustanale River Oustanalee River Ustanali River On this 1796 map the river is labelled "Eastanallee R." See also List of Georgia rivers References Columbia Gazetteer of North America entry Rivers of Georgia (U.S. state) Rivers of Floyd County, Georgia Rivers of Gordon County, Georgia ACT River Basin Georgia placenames of Native American origin