little tennessee river - Environmental Education

LITTLE TENNESSEE
T
RIVER
BASIN
he Little Tennessee River Basin contains famed trout streams, the world-renowned
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a staggering diversity of aquatic wildlife
and sparkling, clear rivers that squeeze through forested, picture-perfect gorges.
Va
The basin is named for the Little Tennessee
River, which flows north into North Carolina
from Georgia. Its major tributaries include
Tenn
the Cullasaja, Nantahala, Tuckasegee and
Cheoah rivers. Major lakes in the basin are
Fontana, Santeetlah, Nantahala and Glenville. The
concrete dam that impounds Fontana Lake is the highest in the eastern United States at 480
feet. The Little Tennessee River flows into the Tennessee River at Lenoir City, Tennessee
and it eventually flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
Water quality in the basin is generally excellent. More than half the land in the basin is publicly
owned, and 89 percent of the land is forested. Most of the basin’s population lives in and
around Franklin, Sylva and Cherokee, a reservation that is home to the entire Eastern Band
of Cherokee Indians, which numbers more than 13,000. Macon County, which includes the
towns of Franklin and Highlands, is the basin’s fastest-growing county.
The upper Little Tennessee River meanders through pastures and
farmland before reaching Emory Dam below Franklin. In the 25
miles downstream of Lake Emory, the river bends from north to west,
becoming rocky, swift and wild as it rushes between the Cowee and
Nantahala mountains through the Little Tennessee River Gorge. The
gorge contains a rich, expansive and undisturbed mountain forest
with such rare plant species as mountain camellia and federal species
of concern Fraser’s loosestrife.
BILL LEA
BILL LEA
profile:
Total miles of
streams and rivers:
2,501
Municipalities
within basin: 9
Counties
within basin: 6
Size: 1,797
square miles
Population:
94,566
(2010 U.S. Census)
The river otter was reintroduced into the basin in
1992 (above); Little
Tennessee River (left)
The Sound of Wilderness
I
n autumn, an urgent wailing fills the Cataloochee Valley in
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the mating call
of the elk, a sound that has been absent from the Southern Appa-
lachian Mountains for more than 100 years. The population was
devastated by overhunting and loss of habitat. Between 2001
and 2002, 52 elk were re-introduced into the area by the National
Park Service. The elk have become one of the park's most popular
attractions. September, when the mating season begins, is prime
time for viewing and listening. The male's "bugling" can be heard
from a mile away, attracting females and challenging other bulls
in the vicinity. A male elk may weigh up to 700 pounds, stand as tall
as five feet at the shoulder and have antlers that span five feet
across. Early morning and late evening are the best times to view
elk (from a safe distance). For more information, visit www.nps.
gov/ grsm/naturescience/elk.htm.
MIKE DUNN
Numerous picturesque gorges are found through- The rare Junaluska salamander occurs in the
out the river basin. The Cullasaja Gorge on
the National Forest Scenic Byway is a spectac- Cheoah River floodplain.
ular sight with several waterfalls visible from
the road. Late afternoon sun produces rainbows at Bridal Veil Falls, a
waterfall you can drive underneath. A few miles from there, you can
walk under Dry Falls. The Nantahala Gorge is a geologically striking
gorge with straight sides—the steepest valley wall is nearly 1,100 feet
high. The area is known for its exciting whitewater rafting adventures.
S.G. TILLEY
BILL LEA
Dry Falls, Cullasaja
Gorge, Nantahala
National Forest (above);
Appalachian elktoe (right)
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The Tuckasegee River originates in Panthertown Valley, which has
been called “the Yosemite of the East.” The broad, flat valley is
flanked by the bare, curved faces of granite cliffs. The Tuckasegee’s
headwater creeks in Panthertown Valley include 20 miles of native
brook-trout streams that are classified as Outstanding Resource
Waters by the state. Closer to the community of Tuckasegee, other
headwater creeks tumble into the river at the Bonas Defeat Gorge,
which features steep cliffs and distinctive, water-sculpted rocks. A 250foot waterfall cascades nearby on Flat Creek.
View of Panthertown
Valley from Salt Rock,
Nantahala National Forest
In addition to its beauty, the Little Tennessee River Basin supports the
richest aquatic species assemblage remaining in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many of these species are found only in the unimpounded Little
Tennessee and Tuckasegee Rivers upstream of Fontana Reservoir. The
centerpiece is a short 24-mile reach of the Little Tennessee River
between Franklin Dam and Fontana Reservoir that still supports what
is believed to be the full species assemblage that was once found
KEVIN ADAMS
throughout the upper Little Tennessee River and its major tributaries.
This is one of a very few small, isolated river reaches that collectively supports what remains of
the exceptional aquatic biodiversity of the Southeastern United States.
The Appalachian elktoe and the littlewing pearlymussel, both federally listed as endangered
species, are found in the basin, in addition to the federally threatened Spotfin Chub. The
Sicklefin Redhorse, a rare sucker fish, is a candidate for listing. The two-footlong fish is olive
WAYNE VAN DEVENDER
green with a striking, crimson tail and a distinctive, sickle-shaped fin on its back. It is
found in the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee
river basins only. Dams and reservoirs built to
provide hydropower, flood control and water
supply are threats to the survival of some
native species of mussels and fish. These
structures alter stream dynamics, disrupting
the movement of fish species that depend
Hellbender
on cool, rocky, fast-flowing rivers.
BILL LEA
The Carolina northern
flying squirrel, which is
found in the Little Ten-
nessee River Basin, is on
the Endangered Species
List. Other basin residents
on the list include the
spruce-fir moss spider and
two bat species, the gray
myotis and Indiana myotis.
BILL LEA
Cullasaja Falls in autumn
(above); trout fishing
(above right); Nantahala
River Gorge (below right)
GEORGE HUMPHRIES
BILL LEA
A 2004 agreement among environmental agencies, conservation groups and the company that
operates several dams in the river basin (Alcoa Power Generating Inc.) is leading to the recovery
of the Cheoah River. In exchange for this and many other conservation measures, the federal
government renewed Alcoa’s license to operate these dams. The nine-mile stretch of the Cheoah
River below Santeetlah dam had been nearly dry for 75 years. The releases from Santeetlah
dam are designed to mimic natural flows—both high and low. The stream flows also are
designed to improve fishing, whitewater recreation and other activities. Other management
activities in the Cheoah River include adding gravel to improve habitat conditions for fish and
mussels and the stocking of rare mussel and fish species. Spotfin chub, wounded darter, wavyrayed lampmussel, and rainbow mussel have been restored to the Cheoah, with plans to
reintroduce Appalachian elktoe in the near future.
The basin lays claim to one of the most prized natural areas in North America—the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. The North Carolina portion of the park (the rest is in
Tennessee) lies almost entirely within the basin. The park has international significance due
to its wildlife diversity. It boasts the greatest diversity of amphibians in North America: 30
species of salamanders and 12 species of toads and frogs. Some of the most famous trout
streams in the state are found in the park, including Hazel, Forney, Deep and Noland creeks.
Another important and scenic natural area is Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which shelters an
impressive stand of virgin tulip poplars. This cathedral-like cove forest contains 400-year-old
trees—many of them soaring to 150 feet tall. Some of the trees have trunks 20 feet in circumference. The tree canopy shades the mosses and lichens that blanket the forest floor, and it
provides refuge to a host of warblers and other neotropical migratory songbirds that pass
through in spring and fall, including the federal species of concern cerulean warbler.
Sunrise over the Great
Smoky Mountains.
BILL LEA
Habitat degradation is the biggest threat to water quality in the Little Tennessee River Basin.
When land is disturbed, eroded sediment washes into streams, muddying the water and
harming aquatic organisms and their habitat. Bound to these sediments are fertilizers, pesticides
and other pollutants. Historically, soil washed primarily from fields, pastures and roads. In
the past 25 years, however, a growing population and accompanying land development have
escalated runoff. Population in the basin is expected to increase by a third by 2020. Wise,
efficient land-management practices will be necessary to protect streams and rivers.
Multiple conservation activities are helping maintain the rural, scenic landscapes and ecological
resources within the basin. Conservation groups—with help from state trust funds, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and private donations—joined together to protect 26 miles of the
Little Tennessee River between Franklin and Fontana Lake and 37 miles of tributary streams
with the purchase of a 4,468-acre piece of land called the Needmore Tract. This area has been
called the “Noah’s ark” of the Blue Ridge region because of its rich biological diversity— it
shelters 57 species of fish and many rare and threatened species of freshwater mussels. Biologists
hope the pristine streams here may one day be an important source for replenishing species lost
or threatened in waterways throughout the Southeast. Managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission, the tract preserves a continuous stretch of land between the Nantahala and Cowee
mountains used as pathways by bears and other wildlife. Additionally, it contains some of the
most significant Cherokee Indian archaeological sites in the country. Long-time uses of the
land—such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and agriculture—will be preserved.
A variety of skills, knowledge and talents is necessary to address water quality issues, which is
why it’s important for many different people, organizations and agencies to pool their resources
to protect a community’s natural resources. To learn more about how you can help, see the
contact list on the back page.
State of North Carolina: Governor Pat McCrory • North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: Secretary
John E. Skvarla, III • Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs: Program Manager Lisa Tolley; Project Manager Ian Brown
• Editor Carla Burgess • Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special Thanks North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
North Carolina Division of Water Quality and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program • Date: 2013 • 5,500 copies of this public document
were printed at a cost of $1,324.12 or 0.241 per copy. • This publication was funded through a Walmart Stormwater Compliance Grant.
Printed on recycled paper
HIKING & BIKING
Mt. Hardison
Clingmans
Dome
s
tain
oun
S WA I N
M
oky
k 2
G r e a t S m naal l P a r
15
ti on
NN aMito
9 23
5
Littl e
5 Clingman’s Dome Spruce-Fir Trail
www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmans
dome.htm l .5-mile trail.
6 Deep Creek Loop
www.greatsmokies.com/hiking.asp l 4.4-mile
trail with views of waterfall.
7 Highlands Botanical Garden
www.wcu.edu/hbs/Descriptions.htm l 11 acres
l Trails along natural areas, lake and wetlands.
8 Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/hiking.html
l 3,800 acres l 2 miles of loops through an
ancient forest with towering trees.
9 Kephart Prong Trail
www.hikinginthesmokys.com/kephart_prong.
htm l 2-mile trail starts at bridge over
Oconaluftee River and traces creek.
10 Lewellyn Cove Nature Walk
www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/lewellyn.html
l .75-mile loop with creek views.
11 Noland Creek Trail
www.greatsmokies.com/hiking.asp l 6-mile,
gently graded trail.
= some trails designated as wheelchair accessible
www.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/hiking.
php l 1.5-mile trail visits grassy clearing,
passes a small waterfall and ends with view
of Franklin Valley and Cowee and Fishhawk
mountains.
15 Smokemont Nature Trail
http://sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/
mountains/smoky_mountains/oconaluftee_
vis_center.html l 1-mile loop.
16 Snowbird Loop Nature Trail
www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/snowloop.html
l .5-mile loop following Snowbird Creek.
17 Southwestern Community College
ve
ns
www.highlandsinfo.com/hiking/cliffside.htm
l Seven short trails from .5 to 1.5 miles each.
14 Shot Pouch Trail
ai
4 Cliffside Lake Trails
www.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/hiking.
php l 1-mile loop trail.
nt
www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/cheoah.html
l 2.3-mile loop above Lake Santeetlah.
Franklin
r
M ACON
4
7
l hiking
l hiking and biking
N.C. Bartram Trail
12 North Carolina Bartram Trail
13 Rufus Morgan Trail
ou
3 Cheoah Trail
e
www.sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/
mountains/smoky_mountains/oconaluftee
_vis_center.html l 4.25-mile streamside trail.
18
19
ge
2 Bradley Fork/Smokemont Loop Trail
13
Standing
Indian Mtn.
21
River
Mountains
www.ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahal
a/nantfac.html l 1.2 miles of trails (half are
wheelchair-accessible).
(shown with red dashed line)
www.ncbartramtrail.org l 80 miles from Highlands area to Cheoah Bald, east of Robbinsville.
Nantahala
14
L ake
1
Ri
ee
1 Balsam Lake
ess
l HIKING l
Wayah
Bald 20
ala
The Little Tennessee River Basin offers many opportunities to enjoy and explore
nature through walking, hiking and biking. This list includes places for easy to
moderate activity. Sometimes the steepness of terrain may limit easy activity
except at an overlook or on a short path. Many sites include views of streams,
rivers, creeks, lakes, wetlands and waterfalls. Remember that some trails are
multi-use, serving pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and other recreational users.
h
nta
Na
12
M
Robbinsville
m
3
nn
CHEROK E E
se
in the Little Tennessee River Basin
Santeetl ah 16
Lake
JACK SON
Bryson
Sylva
Tu
City
c k 17
a
Te
G RA H A M
sa
8
Waterrock
Knob
al
10
6
11
22
B
Fonta na
Lake
19 Tessentee Farm
www.ltlt.org/tessentee-bottomland-preserve/
l 70 acres l Stroll among old-growth oak forest,
bottomland wetlands and Tessentee Creek.
20 Wayah Bald Lookout Tower
www.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/
hiking.php l .3-mile, wheelchair-accessible
path to stone tower.
l HIKING and BIKING l
21 Little Tennessee River
Greenway
www.littletennessee.org l 4-mile trail with
river views and bridges; paved sections
are wheelchair-accessible.
22 Nantahala River Trail
http://ncrailtrails.wordpress.com/2011/07/
07/nantahala-river-trail/l .5-mile trail in
Nantahala Gorge crosses a 125-foot bridge
over the Nantahala River.
23 Oconaluftee River Trail/
Oconaluftee Visitors Center
www.southwesterncc.edu/content/walkingtrail l 1.87-mile loop through woods with a
view of the Tuckasegee River.
l 1.5-mile trail following the river; level enough
18 Standing Indian Trails
for wheelchairs.
www.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/hiking.
php l Several trails in the area with varying
difficulty levels.
www.hikinginthesmokys.com/oconaluftee.htm
PADDLING
Mt. Hardison
Clingmans
Dome
nta
S WA I N
Mou
y
k
o
k
G r e a t S m naal l P a r
ti on
NN aMito
Littl e
www.littletennessee.org l Calm 2-milesection
from Tassee Bridge to Suli Marsh.
10 Nantahala Lake*
www.theblueridgehighlander.com/lakes_in_the
_mountains/north_carolina/lake_nantahala.
html l 1,606 acres
11 Santeetlah Lake*
www.grahamcountytravel.com/index.php/maps
/lake-santeetlah-map/ l 2,849 acres
12 Wolf Creek Lake*
www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/wolfcreek/
l 183 acres
*Denotes site with public access points
maintained by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission. For directions to boat ramps,
visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on
Boating/Waterways, then Maps/Location.
ns
5 Fontana Lake*
9 Little Tennessee River Greenway
ve
ai
4 Cheoah Lake*
www.grahamcountytravel.com/index.php/maps
/cheoah-lake/ l 633 acres
www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/bearcreek/
l 40 acres
nt
www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/cedarcliff/
l 121 acres
8 Tanasee Creek Lake
ou
3 Cedar Cliff Lake*
www.lakelocate.com/north-carolina/lakesequoyah l 150 acres
M
www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/bearcreek/
l 475 acres
7 Lake Sequoyah
Ri
r
Little Tennessee
River Greenway
2 Bear Creek Lake*
www.highlandsinfo.com/daytrips/lakeglenville.
htm l 1,462 acres
6
1
8 12
7
www.ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahala/
nantfac.html l 8 acres
6 Glenville Lake*
2
M AC O N
1 Balsam Lake
www.tva.gov/sites/fontana.htm l 10,640 acres
m
River
Mountains
Franklin
3
e
ge
ee
ala
10
The Little Tennessee River Basin offers many opportunities for easy to moderate
Nantahala
paddling on picturesque lakes and rivers. The places included here offer public
Lake
9
access areas maintained by state, federal or local governments. Privately operated
Standing
marinas and boat docks may also be available. This list does not include locations for
Indian Mtn.
whitewater adventure. Information about this activity, wildly popular on the basin's
many rivers and gorges, is readily available from tourism bureaus and outfitters.
ess
h
nta
Na
Wayah
Bald
sa
Robbinsville
nn
CHEROK E E
Bryson
Sylva
Tu
City
ck
a
Te
G RA H A M
se
in the Little Tennessee River Basin
Santeetl ah
Lake
JACK SON
5
al
11
Waterrock
Knob
Fon t a n a
Lake
B
4
ins
GEORGE JAMES
?
WHERE
SHOULD
I GO
What makes the Little Tennessee River Basin so special? See for yourself. Visit these
Environmental Education Centers to discover more about your ecological address:
l
Fontana Lake
l
l
BILL LEA
HOW
CAN
I HELP
?
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Great Smoky Mountains: Mountain Farm Museum/Parks as Classrooms
Highlands Nature Center
For more information about Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina,
check out the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs’ website at
www.eenorthcarolina.org.
You can gain a sense of community pride by learning more and helping to protect streams, rivers
and lakes in the Catawba River Basin. The contacts listed below can help you do just that.
To find out about local river organizations and conservation groups, contact your local soil
and water conservation district. To find out about how you can get involved in local waterway and other litter cleanups, contact North Carolina Big Sweep.
Clean Water Management Trust Fund
www.cwmtf.net/
North Carolina Big Sweep
www.ncbigsweep.org/
Division of Water Quality, Stormwater
and Runoff Pollution
www.ncstormwater.org/
North Carolina Stream Watch
www.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_
Assistance/Stream_Watch
Little Tennessee River Basinwide Plan*
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu/basin/
littletennessee
North Carolina Water Science Center
http://nc.water.usgs.gov/
North Carolina Association of Soil &
Water Conservation Districts
www.ncaswcd.org
t
*Basinwide water quality planning is a nonregulatory, watershed-based approach to restoring and protecting the
quality of North Carolina’s surface waters. The N.C. Division of Water Quality welcomes community input.
To order additional brochures on any of North Carolina’s 17 river basins, a general river basin booklet or a poster, fill out
the online order form at www.eenorthcarolina.org.