Tenn.

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.

T he 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: 2,829 square miles

Population: 485,140

(2010 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 (which empty into the Pigeon River). These waters receive extra protection due to excellentwater quality and exceptional ecological or recreational significance.

Unique plants and animals also distinguish the French Broad River Basin. It contains twoaquatic salamanders, the common mudpuppy and hellbender, and is the only basin with the distinctive turtle known as the Eastern spiny softshell. The Nolichucky, Cane, South Toe and North Toe rivers contain several rare fish, notably the entire state population ofsharphead 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.

More than 10 rare fish species and three rare mussels are found in the French Broad River,including the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel. Recreation, including fishingand rafting, also makes the French Broad River an out standing resource. Besides the basin’sample trout fishing opportunities, the entire French Broad River supports a celebrated muskiefishery. Below Asheville, the river falls and tumbles, creating enough excitement to make white -watering 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 had 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 reintroducingnative snail, fish and mussel species to theriver. Today, the Pigeon River is a progres-sively cleaner resource that sup ports raft-ing, 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

revitalized downtown

in Asheville. Pad dlers

can access the French

Broad at several sites

within the city limits.

Asheville is also home

to a growing green -

way system enjoyed

by citizens and tour-

ists alike. 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

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

Looking Glass Falls,

Transylvania County

(below left); a whitewater

kayaker finds thrills, not

spills (below right).

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 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• Editor Carla Burgess • Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special Thanks North 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 French Broad River Basin

8 Long Branch Environmental Education Centerwww.longbrancheec.org l 1,635 acres l 2.5miles of trails, plus old logging roads.

9 Mount Mitchell State Parkwww.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.phpl 1,946 acres l 32 miles of trails. A short trailbeginning at the summit parking lot leads to astone observation tower from which visitorsmay see as far as 85 miles on a clear day.

10 Pigeon River Greenway/CantonRecreation Parkwww.cantonnc.com/ l 1.7-mile walking trail.

11 Cradle of Forestry – Forest DiscoveryCenter/ Pisgah National Forestwww.cradleofforestry.com/ l 6,500 acresl 2.3 miles of trails.

12 Roan Mountain Gardenswww.hikewnc.info/trailheads/pisgah/appalachian/toecane/roan.html l 600 acres l 1-mile trailthrough rhododendron gardens.

13 Shining Rock Wilderness/Art Loeb Trailwww.hikewnc.info/trailheads/pisgah/pisgah/shining.html l 18,500 acres l 10.6 miles ofhiking trails, including a view of Cold Mountain.

14 Waterfall Parkwww.averycounty.com/relocation-info/communities/newland l Highway 194,Newland l 2 miles of trails with cascades.

15 Western North Carolina Nature Centerwww.wncnaturecenter.com l 42 acres l

.6 mile nature trail winding through forestedareas along the Swannanoa River .

l HIKING l

1 Bakersville Creek Walkwww.bakersville.com l ~1-mile trail alongCane Creek.

Blue Ridge Parkway2aCraggy Gardens l www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/brochures.htm l 700 acresl .8-mile trail. Spectacular display ofrhododendrons in June/July.

2b Pink Beds Loop Trail l www.blueridgeheritage.com/attractions-destinations/pink-beds l 3.2 miles of trails along the South Fork Mills River.

3 Botanical Gardens at Asheville www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org l 10 acres l .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 l 264 acres l 5 miles oftrails on the farmstead of the late Pulitzerprizewinning poet.

5 Holmes Educational State Forestwww.ncesf.org/HESF/home.htm l 235 acresl 5 miles of trails among mountain hardwoods.

6 Hominy Creek River Parkwww.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Parks/Facilities/River/ l 19 acres l .25-miletrail on the Swannanoa River.

� 7 Jackson Parkwww.hendersoncountync.org/recreation

/jacksonpark.html l ~2.3-mile wheelchair-accessible nature trail and boardwalk along astream and wet meadow.

16 Westfeldt River Parkwww.historichendersonville.org/activities_recreation.htm l 22 acres l .6-mile trailskirting the French Broad.

l HIKING and BIKING l

17 Brevard Bike Path/NC Rails-Trailswww.traillink.com/trail/brevard-bike-path.aspx l 5 miles of trails.

18 Dupont State Forestwww.dupontforest.com/ l 10,400 acres lWith nearly 80 miles of trails, this is a hot spotfor mountain biking. Six named waterfalls.

19 North Carolina Arboretum www.ncarboretum.org l 434 acres l morethan 10 miles of hiking and biking trails

Pisgah National Forest20 Bent Creek Forest Trails l www.srs.fs.usda.gov/bentcreek/recreation.html l 5,242 acresl 44.2 miles of hiking trails; 27.5 miles ofbiking trails.

21 Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area l www.visitnc.com/listings/view/44520 l 4.8 milesof hiking trails; bikes allowed only on through-trail for horses.

22 Warren Wilson Collegewww.warren-wilson.edu l 25 miles of trails, a few open to cyclists.

l hikingl 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 www.ncdot.gov/bikeped.

Mt. Roan

Mt.

Cold

RichlandBalsam

Mt.

Brevard

Waynesville

Marshall

Asheville

Hendersonville

Burnsville

Bakersville

Newland

HotSprings

Rosman

French

Riv

er

N o r thToe

R i ve r

Pig

eo

n

HAYWOOD

TRANSYLVANIA

MADISONYANCEY

BUNCOMBE

HENDERSON

MITCHELL AVERY

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

Bro

ad

Sterling

Mt. Pisgah

Mt.Mitchell

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.

For more information please visit:www.riverlink.org/FBRPaddleTrail.asp

Miles to NextAccess Area Take-out

Headwaters Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5Champion Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.5Lyons Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Headwaters Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Island Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Hap Simpson Riverfront Park . . . . . . . . . . .5Pisgah Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Blantyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17.75Westfeldt Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.75Glenn Bridge River Park . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.5Sandy Bottom River Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..5Bent Creek River Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Hominy Creek River Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Southern Waterways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1French Broad River Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Jean Webb Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.5French Broad River Campground . . . . . . . ..5The Ledges Whitewater Park . . . . . . . . . . . .6Walnut Island River Park . . . . . . . . . . . .14.5Barnard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.5Stackhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Nantahala Outdoor Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Murray Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .end

PADDLING

in the French Broad River Basin

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

Mt.

Brevard

Waynesville

Marshall

Asheville

Hendersonville

Burnsville

Bakersville

Newland

HotSprings

Rosman

French

Riv

er

N o r thToe

R i ve r

Pig

eo

n

HAYWOOD

MADISONYANCEY

BUNCOMBE

HENDERSON

MITCHELL AVERY

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

Bro

ad

Sterling

Mt. Pisgah

Mt.Mitchell

ive

TRANSYLVANIA1

2

3

2 Pigeon River Greenway/CantonRecreation Parkwww.cantonnc.com/www.pigeonriverfund.org

3 Lake Julianwww.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parks/facilities/parks/lakejulian.aspx l 330acres l 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:

l Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center

l Blue Ridge Parkwayl Bullington Centerl Colburn Earth Science Museuml EnergyXchange Renewable Energy Centerl Forest Discovery Center, Cradle of

Forestry in Americal Holmes Educational State Forest

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.

l Mount Mitchell State Parkl Mountain Trail Outdoor School l The North Carolina Arboretuml North Carolina Outward Bound Schooll Pisgah Center for Wildlife Educationl Western North Carolina Nature Centerl YMCA Blue Ridge Assemblyl YMCA Camp Greenville

NCWRC

?Clean Water Management Trust Fundwww.cwmtf.net/

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

French Broad Basinwide Plan*http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu/basin/frenchbroad

Land of Sky Regional Councilwww.landofsky.org(828) 251-6622

Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Projecthttp://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/content/MudCreekWatershedRestorationProject-Home(828) 697-4891

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