Holston River

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Catchment area of ​​the Holston River

The Holston River is a major river in East Tennessee (USA).

The two headwaters of the Holston River ( North Fork Holston River and South Fork Holston River) have their origin in southwestern Virginia. They unite in Kingsport to the main flow.

The North Fork Holston River flows 243 km southwest of Sharon Springs in Bland County. The shorter but relatively water-rich due to the almost three times larger catchment South Fork rises near Sugar Grove, Wythe County. From there, it flows 180 km in a southwesterly direction before it hits the North Fork near Kingsport. The actual Holston River flows then 219 km north of Bays Mountain in a southwesterly direction to eventually merge east of downtown Knoxville with the French Broad River to the Tennessee River.

In the valley of the Holston River there are a number of power plants to generate electricity - hydro and coal power plants. The higher power stations are privately owned, while the deeper operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. At the Holston River Cherokee Dam is to call with the corresponding Cherokee Lake.

The river was named after Stephen Holstein. This 1746 built a log cabin on the upper reaches of the river. The mountain Holston Mountain in turn was named after the river.

The confluence of the Holston River and French Broad River at Mile Post 652 in Knoxville is now considered as the starting point of the Tennessee River. Before 1933, the Holston River was still officially a further 82 kkm outflow until after Lenoir City and the mouth of the Little Tennessee River. At that time this place was regarded as the starting point of the Tennessee River.

All three arms of the Holston River source and the actual flow are easily accessible and offer recreational opportunities such as canoeing, fishing, or fly fishing. The North Fork Holston River below Saltville, however, is contaminated with heavy metals and fish out of the water should not be consumed.