The
Green River is a tributary of the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States....
that rises in
Lincoln CountyLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 25,072. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county"...
in south-central
KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is a Southern state situated in the Upland South, although the state is infrequently placed, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a...
. Tributaries of the Green River include the
Barren River LakeBarren River Lake is a , reservoir in Kentucky created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 by impounding the Barren River. The lake occupies parts of Allen, Barren, and Monroe counties. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for operation and maintenance of the project and...
, the
Nolin RiverThe Nolin River is a tributary of the Green River, 105 mi long, in central Kentucky in the United States. Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
, the
Pond RiverThe Pond River is a tributary of the Green River , about 65 mi long, in western Kentucky in the United States . Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River ....
and the
Rough RiverThe Rough River is a tributary of the Green River, 136 mi long , in west-central Kentucky in the United States. Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
. The river takes its name from its green color, which is caused by the water's depth.
Following the
Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , also sometimes known as the American War of Independence, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen united former British colonies in North America, and concluded in a global war between several European great powers...
, many veterans staked claims along the Green River as payment for their military service. The river valley also attracted a number of ne'er-do-wells, earning it the dubious nickname Rogue's Harbor.
In 1842, Kentucky's Green River was
canalCanals are artificial channels for water. There are two types of canal: aqueduct canals are used for the conveyance and delivery of water, and waterway canals are navigable transportation canals used for passage of goods and people, often connected to existing lakes, rivers, or oceans.The word...
ized, with a series of locks and dams being built to create a navigable channel as far inland as
Bowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green is the fourth-most populous city in the U.S. state of Kentucky after Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro. The population was 55,097 in 2008. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated...
.
The
Green River is a tributary of the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States....
that rises in
Lincoln CountyLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 25,072. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county"...
in south-central
KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is a Southern state situated in the Upland South, although the state is infrequently placed, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a...
. Tributaries of the Green River include the
Barren River LakeBarren River Lake is a , reservoir in Kentucky created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 by impounding the Barren River. The lake occupies parts of Allen, Barren, and Monroe counties. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for operation and maintenance of the project and...
, the
Nolin RiverThe Nolin River is a tributary of the Green River, 105 mi long, in central Kentucky in the United States. Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
, the
Pond RiverThe Pond River is a tributary of the Green River , about 65 mi long, in western Kentucky in the United States . Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River ....
and the
Rough RiverThe Rough River is a tributary of the Green River, 136 mi long , in west-central Kentucky in the United States. Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
. The river takes its name from its green color, which is caused by the water's depth.
History
Following the
Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , also sometimes known as the American War of Independence, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen united former British colonies in North America, and concluded in a global war between several European great powers...
, many veterans staked claims along the Green River as payment for their military service. The river valley also attracted a number of ne'er-do-wells, earning it the dubious nickname Rogue's Harbor.
In 1842, Kentucky's Green River was
canalCanals are artificial channels for water. There are two types of canal: aqueduct canals are used for the conveyance and delivery of water, and waterway canals are navigable transportation canals used for passage of goods and people, often connected to existing lakes, rivers, or oceans.The word...
ized, with a series of locks and dams being built to create a navigable channel as far inland as
Bowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green is the fourth-most populous city in the U.S. state of Kentucky after Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro. The population was 55,097 in 2008. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated...
. Four locks and dams were constructed on the Green River, and one lock and dam was built on the Barren River, a Green River tributary that passed through Bowling Green.
In 1901, two additional locks and dams were opened on the Green River, which allowed river traffic to Mammoth Cave. In 1941, the
Mammoth Cave National ParkMammoth Cave National Park is a U.S. National Park in central Kentucky, encompassing portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world. The official name of the system is the Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System for the ridge under which the cave has formed. The park was established...
was established, and the two upper locks and dams closed in 1950. In 1965, Lock and Dam #4 at
Woodbury, KentuckyWoodbury is a city in Butler County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 87 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Woodbury is located at ....
failed; this was the dam that locked both the Green and Barren rivers.
In 1969, the
United States Army Corps of EngineersThe United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
impounded the river, forming 8,200-acre Green River Lake. The lake is now the primary feature of
Green River Lake State ParkGreen River Lake State Park is a park located near Campbellsville, Kentucky in Taylor County. The park itself encompasses , while Green River Lake, its major feature, covers approximately .-External links:*...
.
There is still one Indian tribe living on the Green River-The Southern Cherokee Nation. In 1983 Governor John Y. Brown recognized the Southern Cherokee Nation as an Indian tribe. The Southern Cherokee still live in Henderson County today.
Route
The Green River flows through Mammoth Cave National Park, located ca. miles 190-205. The river drains the cave and controls the master base level of the Mammoth Cave System: the construction of a 9 foot (2.7 m) dam at
Brownsville, KentuckyBrownsville is a city in and the county seat of Edmonson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 921 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in 1906 has raised the water level in some parts of the cave system by as much as six feet (1.8 m) above its natural value.
The 300-mile long Green River, an important transportation artery for the coal industry, is open to traffic up to the closed Lock and Dam #3 (known as the Rochester Dam) at mile 108.5.
Muhlenberg CountyMuhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 31,839. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
, once the largest coal-producing county in the nation, benefits greatly from access to the river as does the aluminum industry in
Henderson CountyHenderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1799. As of 2006, the population was 45,666. The county seat is the City of Henderson. The county was named for Colonel Richard Henderson who originally purchased 17,000,000 acres of land from the Cherokee...
. In 2002, more than 10 million short tons were shipped on the river, primarily lignite coal, petroleum coke and aluminum ore.
Record fish
Several of Kentucky's record fish have been caught in the waters of the Green River, including:
- Bowfin
Bowfins are an order of primitive ray-finned fish. Only one species, the bowfin Amia calva, family Amiidae, survives today, although additional species in six families are known from Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene fossils...
, 14 lb 8 oz (7.03 kg), caught by Norman Moran on May 31, 1999
- Bighead carp
The bighead carp is a freshwater fish, one of several Asian carps. It has a large, scaleless head, a large mouth, and eyes located very low on the head. Adults usually have a mottled silver-gray coloration. Adults can be quite large...
, 52 lb (23.6 kg), caught by Donny Lee Johnson on July 8, 2001
- Blue sucker
The blue sucker, Cycleptus elongatus, is a freshwater species of fish in the sucker family. Color is variable, from light steel-gray to almost black. The fish is streamlined, with a pointed head and a subterminal mouth...
, 4 lb 15 oz (2.24 kg), caught by Howard Hilliard on April 25, 2001
- Flathead catfish
The flathead catfish , also called the yellow cat, opelousas, and shovelhead cat, are large North American freshwater catfish. This is the only species of the genus Pylodictis...
, 97 lb (44 kg), caught by Esker Carroll on June 6, 1956
- Freshwater drum
The freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America. It is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus. It is also known for its succulent flesh, but many fishermen are put off by its mucus lining and dank smell. Freshwater drum possess an adapted swim bladder...
, 38 lb (17.2 kg), caught by Larry Caldwell on June 5, 1980
See also
- Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park is a park located near Campbellsville, Kentucky in Taylor County. The park itself encompasses , while Green River Lake, its major feature, covers approximately .-External links:*...
- List of Kentucky rivers
- Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is a U.S. National Park in central Kentucky, encompassing portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world. The official name of the system is the Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System for the ridge under which the cave has formed. The park was established...
- The Ohio River -In American History and Voyaging on Today's River with a section on the Green River, Heron Island Guides, 2007, ISBN 978-09665866-33