The basin is named for the Little Tennes see River, which flows north into North Carolinafrom Georgia. Its major tributaries include 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 480feet. The Little Tennessee River flows into the Tennessee River at Lenoir City, Tennesseeand 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 publiclyowned, and 89 percent of the land is forested. Most of the basin’s population lives in andaround 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 thetowns of Franklin and Highlands, is the basin’s fastest-growing county.

The upper Little Tennessee River meanders through pastures andfarm land before reaching Emory Dam below Franklin. In the 25 miles down stream of Lake Emory, the river bends from north to west,becoming rocky, swift and wild as it rushes between the Cowee andNantahala mountains through the Little Tennessee River Gorge. Thegorge con tains a rich, expansive and undisturbed mountain forest with such rare plant species as mountain camellia and federal speciesof concern Fraser’s loosestrife.

T he Little Tennessee River Basin contains famed trout streams, the world-renownedGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, a staggering diversity of aquatic wildlife

and sparkling, clear rivers that squeeze through forested, picture-perfect gorges.

Total miles ofstreams and rivers:

2,501

Municipalities within basin: 9

Counties within basin: 6

Size: 1,797 square miles

Population: 94,566

(2010 U.S. Census)

profile:

LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVERBASIN

The river otter was reintro -

duced into the basin in

1992 (above); Little

Tennessee River (left)

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Va

Tenn

Numerous picturesque gorges are found through -out the river basin. The Cullasaja Gorge onthe National Forest Scenic Byway is a spectac -ular sight with several waterfalls visible fromthe road. Late afternoon sun produces rainbows at Bridal Veil Falls, awaterfall you can drive underneath. A few miles from there, you canwalk under Dry Falls. The Nantahala Gorge is a geologically strikinggorge with straight sides—the steepest valley wall is nearly 1,100 feethigh. The area is known for its exciting whitewater rafting adventures.

The Tuckasegee River originates in Panthertown Valley, which hasbeen called “the Yosemite of the East.” The broad, flat valley isflanked by the bare, curved faces of granite cliffs. The Tuckasegee’sheadwater creeks in Panthertown Valley include 20 miles of nativebrook-trout streams that are classified as Outstanding ResourceWaters by the state. Closer to the community of Tuckasegee, otherheadwater creeks tumble into the river at the Bonas Defeat Gorge,

I n autumn, an urgent wailing fills the Cata loochee Valley in

Great Smoky Moun tains 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 over hunting 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 popu lar

attrac tions. 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.

The Sound of Wilderness

Dry Falls, Cullasaja

Gorge, Nantahala

National Forest (above);

Appalachian elktoe (right)

S.G. TILLEY

The rare Junaluska sala -

mander occurs in the

Cheoah River floodplain.

MIKE DUNN

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U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

which features steep cliffs and distinctive, water-sculpted rocks. A 250-foot waterfall cascades nearby on Flat Creek.

In addition to its beauty, the Little Tennessee River Basin supports therichest aquatic species assemblage remaining in the Blue Ridge Moun -tains. Many of these species are found only in the unimpounded LittleTennessee and Tuckasegee Rivers upstream of Fontana Reservoir. Thecenterpiece is a short 24-mile reach of the Little Tennessee Riverbetween Franklin Dam and Fontana Reservoir that still supports whatis believed to be the full species assemblage that was once foundthrough out 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 ofthe exceptional aquatic biodiversity of the Southeastern United States.

The Appalachian elktoe and the littlewing pearlymussel, both federally listed as endangeredspecies, are found in the basin, in addition to the federally threatened Spotfin Chub. TheSicklefin Redhorse, a rare sucker fish, is a candidate for listing. The two-footlong fish is olivegreen with a striking, crimson tail and a dis -tinctive, sickle-shaped fin on its back. It isfound in the Little Tennessee and Hiwasseeriver basins only. Dams and reservoirs built toprovide hydropower, flood control and watersupply are threats to the survival of somenative species of mussels and fish. Thesestructures alter stream dynamics, disruptingthe movement of fish species that depend on cool, rocky, fast-flowing rivers.

View of Panthertown

Valley from Salt Rock,

Nantahala National Forest

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.

Hellbender

KEVIN ADAMS

WAYNE VAN DEVENDER

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A 2004 agreement among environmental agencies, conservation groups and the company thatoperates several dams in the river basin (Alcoa Power Generating Inc.) is leading to the recoveryof the Cheoah River. In exchange for this and many other conservation measures, the federalgovernment renewed Alcoa’s license to operate these dams. The nine-mile stretch of the CheoahRiver below Santeetlah dam had been nearly dry for 75 years. The releases from Santeetlahdam are designed to mimic natural flows—both high and low. The stream flows also aredesigned to improve fishing, whitewater recreation and other activities. Other managementactivities in the Cheoah River include adding gravel to improve habitat conditions for fish andmussels and the stocking of rare mussel and fish species. Spotfin chub, wounded darter, wavy-rayed lampmussel, and rainbow mussel have been restored to the Cheoah, with plans toreintroduce Appalachian elktoe in the near future.

The basin lays claim to one of the most prized natural areas in North America—the GreatSmoky Mountains National Park. The North Carolina portion of the park (the rest is inTennessee) 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: 30species of salamanders and 12 species of toads and frogs. Some of the most famous troutstreams 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 animpressive stand of virgin tulip poplars. This cathedral-like cove forest contains 400-year-oldtrees —many of them soaring to 150 feet tall. Some of the trees have trunks 20 feet in cir cum -ference. The tree canopy shades the mosses and lichens that blanket the forest floor, and itprovides refuge to a host of warblers and other neotropical migratory songbirds that passthrough in spring and fall, including the federal species of concern cerulean warbler.

Cullasaja Falls in autumn

(above); trout fishing

(above right); Nantahala

River Gorge (below right)

GEORGE HUMPHRIES

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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 andharming aquatic organisms and their habitat. Bound to these sediments are fertilizers, pesticidesand other pollutants. Historically, soil washed primarily from fields, pastures and roads. In the past 25 years, however, a growing population and accompanying land development haveescalated 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 ecologicalresources 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 theLittle Tennessee River between Franklin and Fontana Lake and 37 miles of trib utary streamswith the purchase of a 4,468-acre piece of land called the Needmore Tract. This area has beencalled the “Noah’s ark” of the Blue Ridge region because of its rich biological diversity— itshelters 57 species of fish and many rare and threatened species of freshwater mussels. Biologistshope the pristine streams here may one day be an important source for replenishing species lostor threatened in waterways throughout the Southeast. Managed by the N.C. Wildlife ResourcesCommission, the tract preserves a con tinuous stretch of land between the Nantahala and Coweemountains used as pathways by bears and other wildlife. Additionally, it contains some of themost significant Cherokee Indian archaeological sites in the country. Long-time uses of theland—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 iswhy it’s important for many different people, organizations and agencies to pool their resourcesto protect a community’s natural resources. To learn more about how you can help, see thecontact list on the back page.

Sunrise over the Great

Smoky Mountains.BILL LEA

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• EditorCarla Burgess • Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special ThanksNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,North Carolina Division of Water Quality and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program • Date: 2013 • 5,500 copies of this public documentwere 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

in the Little Tennessee River Basin

12 North Carolina Bartram Trail(shown with red dashed line)www.ncbartramtrail.org l 80 miles from High-lands area to Cheoah Bald, east of Robbinsville.

13 Rufus Morgan Trailwww.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/hiking.php l 1-mile loop trail.

14 Shot Pouch Trailwww.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 Fishhawkmountains.

15 Smokemont Nature Trailhttp://sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/mountains/smoky_mountains/oconaluftee_vis_center.html l 1-mile loop.

16 Snowbird Loop Nature Trailwww.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/snowloop.htmll .5-mile loop following Snow bird Creek.

17 Southwestern Community Collegewww.southwesterncc.edu/content/walking-trail l 1.87-mile loop through woods with aview of the Tuckasegee River.

18 Standing Indian Trailswww.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/hiking.php l Several trails in the area with varyingdifficulty levels.

l HIKING l

� 1 Balsam Lakewww.ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahal

a/nantfac.html l 1.2 miles of trails (half arewheelchair-accessible).

2 Bradley Fork/Smokemont Loop Trailwww.sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/mountains/smoky_mountains/oconaluftee_vis_center.html l 4.25-mile streamside trail.

3 Cheoah Trailwww.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/cheoah.htmll 2.3-mile loop above Lake Santeetlah.

4 Cliffside Lake Trailswww.highlandsinfo.com/hiking/cliffside.html Seven short trails from .5 to 1.5 miles each.

5 Clingman’s Dome Spruce-Fir Trailwww.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm l .5-mile trail.

6 Deep Creek Loopwww.greatsmokies.com/hiking.asp l 4.4-miletrail with views of waterfall.

7 Highlands Botanical Garden www.wcu.edu/hbs/Descriptions.htm l 11 acresl Trails along natural areas, lake and wetlands.

8 Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forestwww.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/hiking.htmll 3,800 acres l 2 miles of loops through anancient forest with towering trees.

9 Kephart Prong Trailwww.hikinginthesmokys.com/kephart_prong.htm l 2-mile trail starts at bridge overOconaluftee River and traces creek.

10 Lewellyn Cove Nature Walkwww.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/lewellyn.htmll .75-mile loop with creek views.

11 Noland Creek Trailwww.greatsmokies.com/hiking.asp l 6-mile,gently graded trail.

19 Tessentee Farm www.ltlt.org/tessentee-bottomland-preserve/l 70 acres l Stroll among old-growth oak forest,bottom land wetlands and Tessentee Creek.

� 20 Wayah Bald Lookout Towerwww.franklin-chamber.com/whattodo/

hiking.php l .3-mile, wheelchair-accessiblepath to stone tower.

l HIKING and BIKING l

� 21 Little Tennessee RiverGreenway

www.littletennessee.org l 4-mile trail withriver views and bridges; paved sections are wheelchair-accessible.

22 Nantahala River Trailhttp://ncrailtrails.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/nantahala-river-trail/l .5-mile trail inNantahala Gorge crosses a 125-foot bridgeover the Nantahala River.

� 23 Oconaluftee River Trail/Oconaluftee Visitors Center

www.hikinginthesmokys.com/oconaluftee.html 1.5-mile trail following the river; level enoughfor wheelchairs.

l hiking

l hiking and biking

N.C. Bartram Trail

�= some trails designated as wheelchair accessible

N Mti o n a l P a r kG rea t S mok y Mo un ta i n s

Ba l sam

Moun ta i ns

ClingmansDome

Mt. Hardison

WaterrockKnob

StandingIndian Mtn.

WayahBald

Nantahala

Mount ains

Robbinsville

BrysonCity

Franklin

SylvaSanteet lah

Lake

NantahalaLake

Fontana Lake

L i t t l e

Tenne

sse

eR

ive

r

Tuckasegee

R i ve r

GRAHAM

SWAIN

MACON

JACKSON

CHEROKEE

Nat iona l Park

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.

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1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

915

11

12

1314 21

22

16 17

1819

20

23

1 Balsam Lakewww.ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahala/nantfac.html l 8 acres

2 Bear Creek Lake*www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/bearcreek/l 475 acres

3 Cedar Cliff Lake*www.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/cedarcliff/l 121 acres

4 Cheoah Lake*www.grahamcountytravel.com/index.php/maps/cheoah-lake/ l 633 acres

5 Fontana Lake*www.tva.gov/sites/fontana.htm l 10,640 acres

6 Glenville Lake*www.highlandsinfo.com/daytrips/lakeglenville.htm l 1,462 acres

7 Lake Sequoyahwww.lakelocate.com/north-carolina/lake-sequoyah l 150 acres

8 Tanasee Creek Lakewww.jimporter.org/lakes/ncarolina/bearcreek/l 40 acres

9 Little Tennessee River Greenwaywww.littletennessee.org l Calm 2-milesectionfrom 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 pointsmaintained by the N.C. Wildlife ResourcesCommission. For directions to boat ramps,visit www.ncwildlife.org and click onBoating/Waterways, then Maps/Location.

PADDLING

in the Little Tennessee River Basin

The Little Tennessee River Basin offers many opportunities for easy to moderatepaddling on picturesque lakes and rivers. The places included here offer public access areas maintained by state, federal or local governments. Privately operatedmarinas and boat docks may also be available. This list does not include locations forwhitewater adventure. Information about this activity, wildly popular on the basin'smany rivers and gorges, is readily available from tourism bureaus and outfitters.

N Mti o n a l P a r kG rea t S mok y Mo un ta i n s

Ba l sam

Moun ta i ns

ClingmansDome

Mt. Hardison

WaterrockKnob

StandingIndian Mtn.

WayahBald

Nantahala

Mount ains

Robbinsville

BrysonCity

Franklin

SylvaSanteet lah

Lake

NantahalaLake

Fontana Lake

L i t t l e

Tenne

sse

eR

ive

r

Tuckasegee

R i ve r

GRAHAM

SWAIN

MACON

JACKSON

CHEROKEE

Nat iona l Park

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9

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6

54

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GEORGE JAMES

Little TennesseeRiver Greenway

WHERE SHOULD

I GO?

?

What makes the Little Tennessee River Basin so special? See for yourself. Visit theseEnvironmental Education Centers to discover more about your ecological address:

l Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremontl Great Smoky Mountains: Mountain Farm Museum/Parks as Classroomsl Highlands Nature Center

For more information about Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, check out the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs’ website atwww.eenorthcarolina.org.

You can gain a sense of community pride by learning more and helping to protect streams, riversand 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 soiland water conservation district. To find out about how you can get involved in local water -way and other litter cleanups, contact North Carolina Big Sweep.

Fontana Lake

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Clean Water Management Trust Fundwww.cwmtf.net/

Division of Water Quality, Stormwater and Runoff Pollutionwww.ncstormwater.org/

Little Tennessee River Basinwide Plan*http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu/basin/littletennessee

North Carolina Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts www.ncaswcd.org

North Carolina Big Sweepwww.ncbigsweep.org/

North Carolina Stream Watchwww.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_Assistance/Stream_Watch

North Carolina Water Science Centerhttp://nc.water.usgs.gov/

HOW CANI HELP

*Basinwide water quality planning is a nonregulatory, watershed-based approach to restoring and protecting thequality 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 outthe online order form at www.eenorthcarolina.org.t