Broad River (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
The Broad River is a 60 miles (96.6 km) tributary
of the Savannah River
in northeastern Georgia
. The North Fork of the Broad River begins in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains
in Stephens County
, then joins the Middle Fork west of Royston
in Franklin County
to form the main stem. The Broad River continues south, being joined by the Hudson River
flowing from the west out of Franklin County. The Broad then becomes the county line of Madison
and Elbert
counties as it turns southeast.
As the Broad River flows by Carlton
, the South Fork Broad River joins from the west at the junction of Oglethorpe
, Madison and Elbert counties. The South Fork originates at Minish's Lake near Danielsville
and passes through Watson Mill Bridge State Park
, which borders Oglethorpe and Madison counties.
The Broad River continues its flow uninterrupted toward the Savannah, passing Elbert County to the north, and Oglethorpe, Wilkes and Lincoln counties to the south. Most of the Broad River's course runs across the Piedmont Plateau, ending where it flows into the Savannah River in what is now inundated by Lake Strom Thurmond
in Elbert County. It remains one of the least developed watersheds in the Georgia Piedmont.
Efforts to protect the Broad River as one of Georgia's last free-flowing rivers include a local group, the Broad River Watershed Association, as well as legislative protection at the federal, state, and county levels. The Broad is known for its relatively unspoiled nature, with numerous shoals and mild rapids snaking through farmlands and bounded by bluffs of up to 200 foot in height.
Prior to the 19th century, the Broad River in Georgia was the mutual border between the Cherokee
people to the north, and the Creek people
to the south.
As a boy and young teen during the 1780s, the famous American explorer Meriwether Lewis
of the Lewis and Clark expedition
honed his skills of exploration and wilderness survival, along with gaining first-hand knowledge about the native Americans Indians, while living beside the Broad River in Wilkes (now Oglethorpe
) County.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
in northeastern Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The North Fork of the Broad River begins in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
in Stephens County
Stephens County, Georgia
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 26,175. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 25,268. The county seat is Toccoa.-History:...
, then joins the Middle Fork west of Royston
Royston, Georgia
Royston is a city in Franklin, Hart, and Madison counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 2,493 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Royston is located at ....
in Franklin County
Franklin County, Georgia
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It became Georgia's ninth county, incorporating on February 25, 1784, and was named in honor of patriot Benjamin Franklin...
to form the main stem. The Broad River continues south, being joined by the Hudson River
Hudson River (Georgia)
The Hudson River is a tributary of the Broad River in the U.S. state of Georgia. Via the Broad River, it is part of the Savannah River watershed....
flowing from the west out of Franklin County. The Broad then becomes the county line of Madison
Madison County, Georgia
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
and Elbert
Elbert County, Georgia
Elbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...
counties as it turns southeast.
As the Broad River flows by Carlton
Carlton, Georgia
Carlton is a city in Madison County, Georgia, United States. The population was 233 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Carlton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, the South Fork Broad River joins from the west at the junction of Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
, Madison and Elbert counties. The South Fork originates at Minish's Lake near Danielsville
Danielsville, Georgia
Danielsville is a city in Madison County, Georgia, United States. The population was 457 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Madison County...
and passes through Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is a 1,018 acre Georgia state park located near Comer and Carlton on the South Fork of the Broad River. The park is named for the Watson Mill Bridge, the longest original-site covered bridge in Georgia, which spans 229 feet across the South Fork River...
, which borders Oglethorpe and Madison counties.
The Broad River continues its flow uninterrupted toward the Savannah, passing Elbert County to the north, and Oglethorpe, Wilkes and Lincoln counties to the south. Most of the Broad River's course runs across the Piedmont Plateau, ending where it flows into the Savannah River in what is now inundated by Lake Strom Thurmond
Lake Strom Thurmond
Lake Strom Thurmond, known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Lake, is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin. It was created by the J. Strom Thurmond Dam during 1951 and 1952 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near the confluence of the "Little River" and...
in Elbert County. It remains one of the least developed watersheds in the Georgia Piedmont.
Efforts to protect the Broad River as one of Georgia's last free-flowing rivers include a local group, the Broad River Watershed Association, as well as legislative protection at the federal, state, and county levels. The Broad is known for its relatively unspoiled nature, with numerous shoals and mild rapids snaking through farmlands and bounded by bluffs of up to 200 foot in height.
Prior to the 19th century, the Broad River in Georgia was the mutual border between the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
people to the north, and the Creek people
Creek people
The Muscogee , also known as the Creek or Creeks, are a Native American people traditionally from the southeastern United States. Mvskoke is their name in traditional spelling. The modern Muscogee live primarily in Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida...
to the south.
As a boy and young teen during the 1780s, the famous American explorer Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...
of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
honed his skills of exploration and wilderness survival, along with gaining first-hand knowledge about the native Americans Indians, while living beside the Broad River in Wilkes (now Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
) County.