Our Rivers
The Upper Tennessee River watershed encompasses three rivers in Virginia. Read below to learn more about each of the Roundtable’s three target rivers.
The Holston River

The Holston River flows through Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Tazewell, Bland, Russell and Scott Counties.
The Holston River has three main tributaries, the North, Middle and South Forks. There are over 845,565 acres in this watershed. There are 196.52 miles of impaired streams in the Holston River. Non-point source pollution from agriculture, urban run-off and high bacteria counts is only part of the problem that exists. Because of the mercury contamination in the North Fork of the Holston, fishes from the river cannot be consumed.
The Holston River flows into the Holston Lake which is a source of drinking water. Holston is a part of TVA waters. TVA uses the waters to produce electricity which is supplied to other states.
The history of Holston River begins with the Native Americans. “Native Americans called the river Hogoheegee,” according to a local historian Lawrence Richardson. Early explorers called the river Indian River and the French called it the Cherokee River. The river was eventually named the Holston after the explorer Stephen Holstein. (Image credit: NOAA.)
The Holston River has three main tributaries, the North, Middle and South Forks. There are over 845,565 acres in this watershed. There are 196.52 miles of impaired streams in the Holston River. Non-point source pollution from agriculture, urban run-off and high bacteria counts is only part of the problem that exists. Because of the mercury contamination in the North Fork of the Holston, fishes from the river cannot be consumed.
The Holston River flows into the Holston Lake which is a source of drinking water. Holston is a part of TVA waters. TVA uses the waters to produce electricity which is supplied to other states.
The history of Holston River begins with the Native Americans. “Native Americans called the river Hogoheegee,” according to a local historian Lawrence Richardson. Early explorers called the river Indian River and the French called it the Cherokee River. The river was eventually named the Holston after the explorer Stephen Holstein. (Image credit: NOAA.)
The Clinch River

The Clinch River contains the world’s most valuable and rare species of freshwater mussels and fish. The Clinch River contains 29 rare mussels and 19 rare freshwater fish. This river is the nation’s leading hot spot of aquatic diversity, according to The Nature Conservancy’s “Rivers of Life.”
The Clinch River is a source of drinking water for the surrounding region. The waters are also used as a source of recreation for fishing and swimming. Some of Virginia’s Scenic Roads parallel the river for a beautiful, leisure drive through the country.
There are different sources of pollution in the Clinch including agriculture, coal mining, and industry. Over the past decade several government agencies have implemented management and conservation practices that have helped to improve water quality.
Guest River is a tributary of the Clinch. The Guest River Restoration Project gained national recognition through a variety of projects that significantly improved water quality. (Image credit: NOAA.)
The Clinch River is a source of drinking water for the surrounding region. The waters are also used as a source of recreation for fishing and swimming. Some of Virginia’s Scenic Roads parallel the river for a beautiful, leisure drive through the country.
There are different sources of pollution in the Clinch including agriculture, coal mining, and industry. Over the past decade several government agencies have implemented management and conservation practices that have helped to improve water quality.
Guest River is a tributary of the Clinch. The Guest River Restoration Project gained national recognition through a variety of projects that significantly improved water quality. (Image credit: NOAA.)
The Powell River

The Powell River flows through two counties, Lee, and Wise. Lee County is home to one of the few true Cedar Glades left in the world.
In the Powell River basin, 707 miles of streams drain 353,225 acres. The watershed has 245,068 acres of forest, 37,376 acres of pasture, 321 acres of wetlands/streams, 15,314 acres of cropland, 4,398 acres of business and urban lands and 19,514 acres of other uses. A variety of land uses impact the water including coal mining and agriculture. (Image credit: Charles Horton.)
In the Powell River basin, 707 miles of streams drain 353,225 acres. The watershed has 245,068 acres of forest, 37,376 acres of pasture, 321 acres of wetlands/streams, 15,314 acres of cropland, 4,398 acres of business and urban lands and 19,514 acres of other uses. A variety of land uses impact the water including coal mining and agriculture. (Image credit: Charles Horton.)