Va The settlers were more literal in their naming of the river. They had already encountered wide streams, or “broads,” that flowed away from the ocean that they or their parents had crossed. But this river ran northwest, into what was then French territory, and eventually joined the mighty Mississippi. To the newcomers, it was plainly the French Broad. The headwaters of the French Broad River spill from a 50-foot waterfall in Transylvania County. Known as Court House Falls, the waterfall rushes into a creek that feeds the North Fork, which joins the West Fork near Rosman and eventually the Middle and East forks to form the French Broad. About half of the land surrounding these headwater streams is forested, with much of the basin within the Pisgah National Forest or Pisgah Game Lands. Steep slopes limit the land area suitable for building and farming. In fact, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River rises from this basin—Mount Mitchell stretches 6,684 feet skyward. Cold Mountain, immortalized by the novel and film of the same name, rises 6,030 feet above the Shining Rock Wilderness area. The French Broad River Basin drains land in both North Carolina and Tennessee. Besides the French Broad River, the basin includes two other major watersheds in North Carolina: the Pigeon and Nolichucky rivers—tributaries that join the French Broad in Tennessee. The Mills, Davidson and Swannanoa rivers are major tributaries of the French Broad River in North Carolina. T he Cherokee Indians already had countless names for the French Broad River by the time white huntsmen first approached this mountain region. Their river was “Long Man” and its tributaries “Chattering Children.” Total miles of streams: 3,985 Total acres of lakes: 1,736 Municipalities within basin: 24 Counties within basin: 8 Size: 2,830 square miles Population: 393,795 (2000 U.S. Census) profile: RIVER BASIN FRENCH BROAD The French Broad originates from a tiny waterfall (left); the basin’s Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak in the East (below). BEN T. WALTERS BILL LEA
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Va The settlers were more literal in their naming of the river. They had already encountered wide streams,
or “broads,” that flowed away from the ocean that they or their parents had crossed. But this river ran
northwest, into what was then French territory, andeventually joined the mighty Mississippi. To the newcomers, it was plainly the French Broad.
The headwaters of the French Broad River spill from a 50-foot waterfall in Transylvania County.Known as Court House Falls, the waterfall rushes into a creek that feeds the North Fork, whichjoins the West Fork near Rosman and eventually the Middle and East forks to form the FrenchBroad. About half of the land surrounding these headwater streams is forested, with much of the basin within the Pisgah National Forest or Pisgah Game Lands. Steep slopes limit theland area suitable for building and farming. In fact, the tallest mountain east of the MississippiRiver rises from this basin—Mount Mitchell stretches 6,684 feet skyward. Cold Mountain,immor talized by the novel and film of the same name, rises 6,030 feet above the Shining Rock Wilderness area.
The French Broad River Basin drains land in both North Carolina and Tennessee. Besides theFrench Broad River, the basin includes two other major watersheds in North Carolina: the Pigeonand Nolichucky rivers—tributaries that join the French Broad in Tennessee. The Mills, David sonand Swannanoa rivers are major tribu taries of the French Broad River in North Carolina.
The Cherokee Indians already had countless names for the French Broad River bythe time white huntsmen first approached this mountain region. Their river was
“Long Man” and its tributaries “Chattering Children.”
Total miles of streams:
3,985
Total acres of lakes:1,736
Municipalities within basin: 24
Counties within basin: 8
Size: 2,830 square miles
Population: 393,795
(2000 U.S. Census)
profile:
RIVERBASINFRENCH BROAD
The French Broad originates
from a tiny waterfall (left);
the basin’s Mount Mitchell
is the tallest peak in the
East (below).
BEN T. WALTERS BILL LEA
Trout are abundant in the upper reaches of the basin, and many watershave such good quality that the state classifies them as OutstandingResource Waters. About 263 miles of Outstanding Resource Waters in the basin include most of the South Fork Mills River, the South ToeRiver (which joins the Nolichucky River) and Cataloochee Creek and its feeder streams (whichempty into the Pigeon River). These waters receive extra protection due to excellent waterquality and exceptional ecological or recreational significance.
Unique plants and animals also distinguish the French Broad River Basin. It’s one of only tworiver basins in North Carolina where you’ll find the 9-inch aquatic salamander called thecommon mudpuppy and the only basin with the distinctive turtle known as the Eastern spinysoftshell. The Nolichucky, Cane and North Toe rivers contain several rare fish, notably almostthe entire state population of sharphead darters.
Pink BedsA large, flat valley with -
in the Pisgah National
Forest’s Cradle of For -
estry area contains the
most extensive system
of “upland valley” bogs
and marshes in the
Southern Appalachians,
according to the N.C.
Natural Heritage Pro -
gram. These wetlands
are home to North
Caro lina’s largest pop -
ulation of the swamp
pink (pictured above),
a plant in the lily family
that is federally listed as
a threatened spec ies.
The entire area is nick -
named the “Pink Beds”
and got its name from
the resident pink-
bloom ing flowers that
also include wild phlox
and moun tain laurels.
A bobcat makes a rare
daytime appearance,
framed in fall foliage.
The Eastern spiny softshell
(far right) and the hell -
bender (right) can both
be found in the French
Broad River Basin.
BILL LEA
WAYNE VAN DEVENDER WAYNE VAN DEVENDER
USFWS
The most ecologically significant aquatic area in the basin is the lower section of the French BroadRiver from the town of Marshall to the Tennessee state line. Numerous fish species found inno other rivers of the state appear here, including the freshwater drum and mooneye.
Two rare aquatic species live in the French Broad: the hellbender, a large, uncommon aquaticsalamander, and the Appalachian elktoe, a freshwater mussel that is fed er ally listed as endan -gered. Recreation, including fishing and rafting, also makes the French Broad River an out -standing resource. Besides the basin’s ample trout fishing opportunities, the entire FrenchBroad River supports a celebrated muskie fishery. Below Asheville, the river falls and tumbles,creating enough excitement to make “whitewatering” the main economy of Madison County.There are nine rapids on the 8-mile section of river between Barnard and Hot Springs.
The Pigeon River below Canton has beenaffected for years by polluted discharge from a paper mill. Now an employee-owned com -pany, the mill releases much lower levels ofcontaminants and continues to improve itsoperation. Water quality in the Pigeon Riverhas improved dramatically. Biologists in NorthCarolina and Tennessee are beginning toreintroduce native snail, fish and musselspecies to the river. Today, the Pigeon River is a progressively cleaner resource that sup -ports rafting, paddling and fishing.
As in many areas across the state, the popu -lation in the French Broad River Basin isincreas ing, particularly in Buncombe andHenderson counties. Population growth is
ASHEVILLE ISTHE BASIN’S
LARGEST CITY.
Several riverfront
parks are part of a
downtown revitaliza -
tion in Asheville. Pad -
dlers can access the
French Broad at sev -
eral sites within the city
limits, and plans are
under way for a 6-mile
riverfront greenway.
CHARLES BRASWELL JR.
Rock WindowThe faulted and folded
rocks of the Hot Springs
area form an extraordi -
nary geologic “window”
where you can see sed-
imentary rock buried
under older metamor -
phic rock. Other nearby
earthly attractions
include Paint Rock
and Lover’s Leap.
CHARLES BRASWELL JR.
GEORGE HUMPHRIES
Pigeon River
FRENCH BROADRIVER BASIN
Looking Glass Falls, Transylvania
County (left); a whitewater kayaker
finds thrills, not spills (above).
Nature lovers pause along
the Appalachian Trail in the
Pisgah National Forest.
N.C. DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
BILL LEA
KEN TAYLOR, NCWRC
often accompanied by the removal or alteration of natural areas, whichmay damage or destroy wildlife habitat and harm surrounding waterswhen pollutants wash into them. Many types of land use in the basinare affecting the condition of receiving waters, including land develop -ment and construction activities, forestry operations, mining opera tions,orchards and cropland, animal feeding lots, failing septic systems, roadsand parking lots. When improperly managed, these activities generatecontaminants—including sediment, pesticides, fertilizers and animalwaste—that are carried to nearby waterways by rain and melted snow.
The landscape of the French Broad River Basin has changed dramat -ically over a short period of time. Cultivated and uncultivated crop -land, along with pastureland, decreased by 91 percent between 1982
You may have noticed
French Broad River Basin
signs posted along
high ways. These were
created through a part -
nership between the
Office of Environmental
Education and the N.C.
Department of Trans -
portation with funding
from the Federal Trans -
por tation Enhance -
ment Program. Signs in
each of the state’s 17
river basins call atten -
tion to basin boundaries
and promote steward -
ship of public waters.
and 1997, while urban and developed areasgrew by more than 85 percent. This change ismost apparent around Fletcher, Flat Rock andHenderson ville in the upper French Broadregion. These areas account for some of thehighest growth rates in the basin. The pop ula -tion of Hendersonville has increased by 50percent since 1990. In rapidly growing areas,devel opment has historically redirected storm -water in a way that accelerates flooding and
erosion. Proper land-use design and management can help controlstormwater runoff in both urban and rural areas.
Local organizations are cooperating to protect and promote the ecol -ogical and recreational importance of the entire French Broad RiverBasin. By working together, community organizations and naturalresource agencies can combine professional expertise and localknowledge to determine the best way to protect the basin’s waterresources. To learn how you can help, contact any of the organiza-tions listed on the back page.
JODY DUGGINS, NCWRC
JODY DUGGINS, NCWRC
KEN TAYLOR, NCWRC
The Little River flows
through the 10,400-acre
DuPont State Forest.
Triple Falls, Dupont
State Forest
View from Looking
Glass Rock
State of North Carolina: Governor Michael F. Easley • North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: SecretaryWilliam G. Ross Jr. • Office of Environmental Education: Director Lisa Tolley, Project Manager Rachel Golden • Editor Carla Burgess •Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special Thanks North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission • Date: 2007 • 10,000copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1,462 or $0.15 per copy. • This publication was funded through the Clean WaterAct’s Section 319 Grant Program. • In the coming years, some river basin boundaries will change if the state moves forward with plans tomodify them to coincide with federal maps. The Cape Fear, White Oak, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tar-Pamlico and Neuse basins would be themost significantly altered. Printed on recycled paper
HIKING & BIKING
in the French Broad River Basin
8 Long Branch Environmental Education Centerhttp://www.longbrancheec.org/index.html● 1,635 acres ● 2.5 miles of trails, plus oldlogging roads.
9 Mount Mitchell State Parkhttp://ils.unc.edu/parkproject//visit/momi/home.html ● 1,855 acres ● 32 miles of trails.A short trail beginning at the summit parkinglot leads to a stone observation tower fromwhich visitors may see as far as 85 miles on a clear day.
10 Pigeon River Greenway/CantonRecreation Parkhttp://www.cantonnc.com/ ● 1.7-milewalking trail.
11 Cradle of Forestry – Forest DiscoveryCenter/ Pisgah National Foresthttp://www.cradleofforestry.com/ ● 6,500acres ● 2.3 miles of trails.
13 Shining Rock Wilderness/Art Loeb Trailhttp://sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/mountains/balsam_mountains/shining_rock_wilderness.html ● 18,500 acres ● 10.6 miles ofhiking trails, including a view of Cold Mountain.
14 Waterfall ParkHighway 194, Newland ● 2 miles of trails withcascades.
● HIKING ●
1 Bakersville Creek Walkhttp://www.bakersville.com/walk.html ●
~1-mile trail along Cane Creek.
Blue Ridge Parkway2a Craggy Gardens ● http://www.nps.gov/blri/craggy.htm ● 700 acres ● .8-mile trail.Spectacular display of rhododendrons inJune/July.
2b Pink Beds Loop Trail ● http://sherpaguides.com/north_carolina/mountains/balsam_mountains/cradle_of_forestry.html ● 3.2miles of trails along the South Fork Mills River.
3 Botanical Gardens at Asheville http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org ●
10 acres ● .5-mile trail—including bridgesspanning streams—through meadows and over a woodland ridge to a wildflower cove.
4 Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site www.nps.gov/carl ● 264 acres ● 5 miles oftrails on the farmstead of the late Pulitzerprizewinning poet.
5 Holmes Educational State Foresthttp://www.dfr.state.nc.us/esf/hesf/hesf_home.htm ● 235 acres ● 5 miles of trailsamong mountain hardwoods.
6 Hominy Creek River Parkhttp://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/ParksAlive/facilities/river/ ● 19 acres● .25-mile trail on the Swannanoa River.
�7 Jackson Parkwww.eco-wnc.org/eco_programs.htm ●
212 acres ● ~2.3-mile wheelchair-accessiblenature trail and boardwalk along a stream and wet meadow.
15 Western North Carolina Nature Centerhttp://wildwnc.org/ ● 42 acres ● .6-mile trailalong the banks of the French Broad.
16 Westfeldt River Parkhttp://www.eco-wnc.org/westfeldt.htm ● 22acres ● .6-mile trail skirting the French Broad.
● HIKING and BIKING ●
17 Brevard Bike Path/NC Rails-Trailshttp://www.ncrail-trails.org/mapkeys.htm● 2 miles of trails.
18 Dupont State Foresthttp://www.dupontforest.com/ ● 10,400acres ● With nearly 80 miles of trails, this is a new hot spot for mountain biking. Sixnamed waterfalls.
19 North Carolina Arboretum http://www.ncarboretum.org ● 434 acres ●
8 miles of hiking trails; 5.6 miles of biking trails.
Pisgah National Forest20 Bent Creek Forest Trails ● http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/bent_creek_trails.htm ● 5,242 acres ● 44.2 miles of hikingtrails; 27.5 miles of biking trails.
21 Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area ●
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/carolina_hemlocks.pdf ● 4.8 miles of hikingtrails; bikes allowed only on through-trail for horses.
22 Warren Wilson Collegehttp://www.warren-wilson.edu ● 25 miles oftrails, a few open to cyclists.
● hiking
● hiking and biking
The French Broad River Basin offers manyopportunities to enjoy and explore nature through walking, hiking and biking. This list includes places with at least a few trails for easy to moderate activity. Keep in mind that at some mountain sites, the steepness of terrain may limit easy activity, other than at an overlook or short path. Many sites include views of streams,rivers, creeks, lakes and/or waterfalls. Rememberthat some trails are multi-use, serving pedestrians,bicyclists, equestrians and other recreational users.For informa tion about urban and regional bikeways,visit http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle.
Mt.
Roan
Mt.
Cold
RichlandBalsam
Waterrock
Mt.
Brevard
Waynesville
Marshall
Asheville
Hendersonville
Burnsville
Bakersville
Newland
HotSprings
Rosman
F rench
Bro
aR
i ve
r
N o r t hToe
R i ve r
Pig
eo
n
HAYWOOD
TRANSYLVANIA
MADISONYANCEY
BUNCOMBE
HENDERSON
MITCHELLAVERY
P I S G A H N
A T I O N A L
F O R E S T
P I S G A H N
A T I O N A L
F O R E S T
1
2a
103
4
5
6
7
8
9
1611
12
13
14
15
17
18
19
21
22
2b
20
�= some trails designated as wheelchair accessible
1 French Broad River Trail(highlighted in yellow) The French Broad RiverTrail is a state-desig nated canoe trail with 23access points along the river’s 116-mile journeythrough North Caro lina. The river begins nearRosman in southern Transylvania County, thenflows north through Henderson, Buncombe andMadison counties before crossing into Tennes -see. The upper por tion of the river is perfect forfloat trips, and many of these stretches are suit -able for novice paddlers. There are several accesssites with only a few miles between, pro vidingconvenient options for short paddle trips. Localoutfitters provide shuttle services for a fee.
A complete map of the trail points below, withdetailed directions to the sites, may be down -loaded from http://www.riverlink.org or fromthe State Trails Web site, http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/trails/home.html.
The French Broad River Basin offers many oppor -tunities for paddling creeks, ponds, streams, riversand lakes. The places included here offer publicaccess areas maintained by state, federal or localgovernments. Privately operated marinas and boatdocks may also be available. These trails and lakesare suitable for easy to moderate paddling.
Mt.
Roan
Mt.
Cold
RichlandBalsam
Waterrock
Mt.
Brevard
Waynesville
Marshall
Asheville
Hendersonville
Burnsville
Bakersville
Newland
HotSprings
Rosman
F rench
Bro
aR
i ve
r
N o r t hToe
R i ve r
Pig
eo
n
HAYWOOD
MADISONYANCEY
BUNCOMBE
HENDERSON
MITCHELLAVERY
Mt.
ard
Marshall
Asheville
H
ngs
nch
Bro
aR
i ve
r
B
P I S G A H N
A T I O N A L
F O R E S T
P I S G A H N
A T I O N A L
F O R E S T
TRANSYLVANIA
1
2
3
2 Pigeon River Greenway/CantonRecreation Parkhttp://www.cantonnc.com/http://www.pigeonriverfund.org
3 Lake Julianhttp://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parksalive/facilities/parks/LakeJulian.htm. ● 330 acres ● Rental boats available
PHOTO COURTESY OF NC DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM, AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
WHERE SHOULD
I GO? What makes the French Broad River Basin special? See for yourself. Visit theseEnvironmental Education Centers to discover more about your ecological address:● BackCountry Outdoor Education Center● Blue Ridge Parkway● Bullington Horticultural Environmental
Education Center● Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum● Eagle’s Nest Foundation● Dupont State Forest● EnergyXchange Renewable Energy Center● Forest Discovery Center, Cradle of
Forestry in America● Holmes Educational State Forest● Long Branch Environmental Education CenterFor more information about Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, call the Office of Environmental Education at (919) 733-0711, or check out the Web site at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org.
● Mount Mitchell State Park● Mountain Trail Outdoor School● Purchase Knob: Appalachian Highlands
Science Learning Center● The North Carolina Arboretum● North Carolina Outward Bound School● Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education● Swannanoa 4-H Educational Center● Western North Carolina Nature Center● YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
? You can gain a sense of community pride by learning more and helping to protect streams, riversand lakes in the French Broad River Basin. The contacts listed below can help you do just that.
Appalachian Voiceshttp://www.appvoices.org(828) 262-1500Blue Ridge Rural Land Trusthttp://www.brrlt.org/(828) 263-8776Carolina Mountain Land Conservancyhttp://www.carolinamountain.org/(828) 697-5777ECO (Environmental and ConservationOrganization)http://www.eco-wnc.org/(828) 692-0385Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkwayhttp://www.blueridgefriends.org(800) 228-7275French Broad Basinwide Plan*http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/(919) 733-5083French Broad River Watershed Education Training Centerhttp://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/frenchbroad/about.htmlHaywood Waterways Associationhttp://www.pagemanager.com/haywood waterways/(828) 452-9077Land of Sky Regional Councilhttp://www.landofsky.org/(828) 251-6622
Mills River Partnershiphttp://www.henderson.lib.nc.us/county/soil/millsriverweb1.html(828) 697-4949Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Projecthttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/henderson/mudcreek(828) 697-4891N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Districtshttp://www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC/(919) 733-2302North Carolina Stream Watchhttp://www.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_Assistance/Stream_Watch/(919) 715-5433Pigeon River Fund www.pigeonriverfund.org(828) 254-4960 Quality Forwardhttp://www.qualityforward.org(828) 254-1776Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancyhttp://www.appalachian.org/(828) 253-0095 Western North Carolina Alliancehttp://www.wnca.org(828) 258-8737VWIN (Volunteer Water Information Network) http://orgs.unca.edu/eqi/vwin.htm
HOW CAN
I 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, call theN.C. Office of Environmental Education at (919) 733-0711, or order online at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org.▼