How big is the Little Tennessee River basin?

1,797-square-mile
The basin encompasses a 1,797-square-mile area that includes four major tributaries—the Cullasaja, Nantahala, Tuckasegee and Cheoah rivers.

Can you swim in Little Tennessee River?

Swimming and wading is allowed in the West Fork of Little River above DeSoto Falls in northeastern Alabama near Mentone. Located in DeSoto State Park, this beautiful waterfall is formed from the Little River by cascading about 107 feet into a large gorge.

How old is the Little Tennessee River?

The Little Tennessee, a 135 -mile river, and its immediate watershed comprise one of the richest archaeological areas in the Southeastern U.S. containing substantial habitation sites dating back to as early as 7500 B.C. Cyrus Thomas, who conducted a survey of earthwork mounds in the area for the Smithsonian Institution …

Is the Tennessee River polluted?

Pollution in the Tennessee River is not a new problem. In 2004, it was named the fourth most polluted river in the United States by the American Rivers conservation group. Fast forward to 2020 and the river’s water quality is still in poor condition.

Can you dam up a creek in Tennessee?

As mentioned above, the construction of dams on streams or creeks in Tennessee in most cases requires an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit from the Division of Water Resources. Streams and creeks are protected for uses such as irrigation, recreation, fish and aquatic life, and livestock water and wildlife.

Are Tennessee River fish safe to eat?

The Department recommends that residents and visitors continue to eat fish from Tennessee rivers and reservoirs, but they should also follow the published advisories on consumption hazards in individual reservoirs. In the sediment, they become part of the aquatic food chain and, over time, concentrate in fish tissue.

Are there any public access points to the Little Tennessee River?

Fortunately, Smoky Mountain Blueways has 51 public access points mapped out on the upper watershed alone, including the Cheoah, Nantahala, Oconoluftee, Tuckasegee, and the Little Tennessee itself. But the basin’s most impressive feature is its ability to nurture a vast array of aquatic life.

Where does the Little Tennessee River start and end?

The Little Tennessee River rises in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the Chattahoochee National Forest in northeast Georgia’s Rabun County.

Are there any dams on the Little Tennessee River?

Much of the native fish biodiversity remaining around dams on the Little Tennessee and its tributaries survives in isolated fragments of relatively intact native habitats. However, a pair of recent dam removals on tributaries has helped restore natural flows, enhanced recreational opportunities, and increased aquatic habitat for endangered species.

What kind of fish are in the Little Tennessee River?

As a Native Fish Conservation Area, the Little Tennessee River is home to more than 100 species of native fish, 10 species of native mussels, and a dozen crayfish species, including 32 species considered rare at the state or federal level.