 The British needed to control the river systems in order to control economic activities and commerce in the Southeast, especially that pertaining to the fur trade.The Altamaha River is one of the largest and far-reaching rivers in the region, and it allowed passage throughout the territory, especially to the powerful tribes of the Creek/Muskogee found west of the river system.Fort King George was part of a plan by the British to control the Altamaha and to secure economic imperial superiority in the Southeast.