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Hiwasee Reservoir


Tennessee River Valley and the Hiwasee Watershed
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About the Watershed

Did you ever wonder just what a watershed is? Well, the next time it rains, look to see where the water that runs off of your roof and the driveway goes. Where does the rainwater eventually go? There are many paths that the water can take, but eventually it all ends up in the nearest stream, lake or wetland. A watershed is all of the land catching rainwater that eventually flows into a particular waterway. So, the Oostanaula Creek Watershed is made up of all the land that drains either directly into the Oostanaula or into the creeks that feed into the Oostanaula.

The Oostanaula, in turn, drains into the Hiwasee River; so all of the land in the Oostanaula Watershed is also a part of the Hiwasee Watershed. The headwaters of the Hiwassee River begin in the mountains of northern Georgia and flow through North Carolina before veering west into Tennessee to join the waters of the Tennessee River. The entire Hiwassee River basin drains 2,700 square miles of land, much of which lies in the Chattahoochee (Georgia), Nantahala (North Carolina), and Cherokee (Tennessee) National Forests. The Oostanaula Watershed is 44,864 acres, or roughly 70 sq. miles.

The Hiwassee River’s name is derived from “Ayuhwasi”, a Cherokee word that signifies a savanna or meadow. This name also referred to at least two important Cherokee settlements, one in Tennessee and the other near Murphy, NC.

Because the southeast Tennessee region offers a vast array of natural resources, the area is a popular vacation destination for recreational and environmental enthusiasts. The area is also experiencing tremendous growth as more people choose to live in small towns with favorable climates. The latest census data indicate that the growth rate in the area is higher than other southern states. This growth is leading to increased development, decreased streambank buffers, and is unfortunately negatively impacting local water sources and supplies
Physical Description

[Learn more about the geography, unique features, and habitats of the Oostanaula Watershed]

Recreational Opportunities

[Information about public access in the Oostanaula Watershed]

History

[A brief Historical look at Oostanaula Creek]