Mitchell River (North Carolina)
Encyclopedia
The Mitchell River is a tributary
of the Yadkin River
in northwestern North Carolina
in the United States
. Via the Yadkin it is part of the watershed
of the Pee Dee River
, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean
. According to the Geographic Names Information System
, it has also been known historically as "Mitchells River," "Mitchels River," and "Mountain Creek."
The Mitchell rises in eastern Alleghany County
in the Blue Ridge Mountains
, and flows generally southeastwardly through Surry County
, where it joins the Yadkin River about 5 mi (8 km) northeast of Elkin
at the community of Burch
.
In Surry County, it collects the short South Fork Mitchell River, which has also been known historically as "Mill Creek," "South Fork Creek," and "South Fork Mitchells River." The river is a popular destination for anglers who catch Brown, Brook, and rainbow trout.
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 Yadkin River
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
in northwestern North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Via the Yadkin it is part of the watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the Pee Dee River
Pee Dee River
The Pee Dee River, also known as the Great Pee Dee River, is a river in North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood...
, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. According to the Geographic Names Information System
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
, it has also been known historically as "Mitchells River," "Mitchels River," and "Mountain Creek."
The Mitchell rises in eastern Alleghany County
Alleghany County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* U.S. Highway 21* U.S. Highway 221* North Carolina Highway 18* North Carolina Highway 88* North Carolina Highway 93* North Carolina Highway 113-Demographics:...
in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, and flows generally southeastwardly through Surry County
Surry County, North Carolina
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 73,673. Its county seat is Dobson.- History :The county was formed in 1771 from Rowan County...
, where it joins the Yadkin River about 5 mi (8 km) northeast of Elkin
Elkin, North Carolina
Elkin is a town in Surry and Wilkes counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, along the Yadkin River. Elkin shares its name with the surrounding township of Elkin Township...
at the community of Burch
Burch, North Carolina
Burch, or more commonly known locally as Burch Station, is a small community along the Yadkin River in the Marsh Township of Surry County, North Carolina. The community sits on the mouth of the Mitchell River where it empties into the Yadkin...
.
In Surry County, it collects the short South Fork Mitchell River, which has also been known historically as "Mill Creek," "South Fork Creek," and "South Fork Mitchells River." The river is a popular destination for anglers who catch Brown, Brook, and rainbow trout.