Little River (Tennessee)

Little River
Middle Prong near the confluence of Thunderhead and Lynn Prongs
Little River watershed
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
Physical characteristics
Sourcenear Collins Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
 • coordinates35°34′46″N 83°28′56″W / 35.57944°N 83.48222°W / 35.57944; -83.48222[1][2]
 • elevation5,100 ft (1,600 m)
MouthTennessee River at Blount County/Knox County line
 • coordinates
35°52′40″N 83°59′12″W / 35.87778°N 83.98667°W / 35.87778; -83.98667[1]
 • elevation
814 ft (248 m)[1]
Length60 mi (97 km)[3]
Basin size380 sq mi (980 km2)[3][4]
Discharge 
 • locationBrabson Ford Bridge (Hwy. 411) east of Maryville, 17.3 miles (27.8 km) above the mouth(mean for water years 1951-2004)[5]
 • average524 cu ft/s (14.8 m3/s)(mean for water years 1951-2004)[5]
 • minimum32 cu ft/s (0.91 m3/s)
August 1956[5]
 • maximum50,000 cu ft/s (1,400 m3/s)
April 1875[5]
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftPistol Creek

Little River is a 60-mile (97 km) river in Tennessee which drains a 380-square-mile (980 km2) area containing some of the most spectacular scenery in the southeastern United States. The first 18 miles (29 km) of the river are all located within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The remaining 42 miles (68 km) flow out of the mountains through Blount County to join the Tennessee River at Fort Loudon Lake in Knox County.

  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Little River
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. Clingmans Dome, TN. 1:24,000.
  3. ^ a b "River Profile: The Little River," River Neighbors, May 2005. Retrieved: 3 June 2015.
  4. ^ "2005 Targeted Watersheds Grant: Little River, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website. Retrieved: 3 June 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d United States Geological Survey, Tennessee River Basin: 03498500 Little River near Maryville, TN, 2004. Retrieved: 3 June 2015.