Hiwassee River Basin

Hiwassee River Basin

NC River Basin/Watershed Project

Introduction

About My Baisin

Stream Data

Major Lakes/Rivers

• Hiwassee Lake
• Apalachia Lake
• Nottely River
• Valley River

Plants/WildLife

Plants : Oak, Hickory, Maple, and Pine

• Cattails, Bulrushes, Sedges, and various types of grasses and ferns.

Wildlife: White-tailed deer, Black bears, Raccoons, Foxes, Squirrels, and various species of bats.

• Sandhill cranes and different species of ducks and geese
• Salamanders, Frogs, Toads, Turtles, and Snakes

Aquatic life: mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, crustaceans, and mollusks

The Hiwassee River Basin is located in the southeastern United States, flowing through parts of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. The river originates in North Carolina and flows southwestward into Georgia, where it is joined by several tributaries. It then continues its southwestward flow into Tennessee, where it is joined by the Ocoee River and eventually merges with the Tennessee River

Some counties and major cities in and around this Basin include:

- Bradley County: Includes the city of Cleveland.

-McMinn County: Includes the city of Athens.

-Clay County: Includes the town of Hayesville.

-Union County: Includes the city of Blairsville.

The Hiwassee River Basin contains an area of approximately 644 square miles. Despite its relatively small size, this basin boasts a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats that support a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species.

Major Threats

Human Interaction

Pollution/Quality concerns

• Agricultural runoff
• Wastewater discharges
• Nonpoint source pollution

Species threatened/endangered

• Fish
• Mussels
• Birds

*These species face various threats to their survival, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and human disturbance.*

Solution to help lessen pollution

• Increase public awareness and education on water conservation, pollution prevention, and watershed stewardship.
• Keep a close eye on water quality, check how much pollutants are in it, and see if our management efforts are working.
• Upgrade the wastewater treatment plants in our cities and industries to make them work better and pollute less water.

• Water Supply: The Hiwassee River and its waterways provide a significant supply of freshwater for a wide range of purposes such as, industrial, agricultural, and recreational activities. The basin and the surrounding areas downstream rely heavily on these sources of water to meet their needs.
• Hydropower generation: The Hiwassee River Basin has dams and reservoirs that generate renewable energy through hydropower facilities. This helps reduce the use of fossil fuels and contributes to the production of electricity in the region.
• Recreation and tourism: The scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities offered by the Hiwassee River Basin attract visitors and tourists to the region. Activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, birdwatching, camping, and wildlife viewing contribute to local economies through tourism-related spending and support jobs in the outdoor recreation industry.