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Report of the Secretary of Agriculture in relation to the forests, rivers, and mountains of the southern Appalachian region

items 249 of 386 items
  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-8723.jpg
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  • SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. 115 Connecting the Unaka Mountains with the Blue Ridge J;^,8,^'^ are a series of more or less interrupted chains, most of ranges- which have a northwest direction. Chief of these are Tus- quitee, Cheoah, Nantahala, Cowee, Balsam, Pisgah, New Found, Black, Yellow, Roan, Beech, and Stone mountains. Supporting and extending these are scores of smaller peaks and ridges. Here and there on these separate chains are many high points comparable with or exceeding those of the Unaka Mountains—for instance, Roan Mountain, 6,313 feet; Richland Balsam, 6,540 feet, and Mount Mitchell, 6,712 feet, the highest point east of the Rockies. As a whole they are much higher than the Blue Ridge, although they exceed the Unakas but little. One hundred and fifty- six summits are over 5,000 feet, and 36 rise over 6,000 feet. The Balsam and Pisgah mountains are the highest of the transverse ranges and form a maximum corresponding to the Smoky Mountains. (PI. LXI.) Thus, although the Blue Ridge is the watershed of this area, the highest points, excepting Mount Mitchell, are situated in the Unaka Mountains, where are also located the largest bodies of high ground. Accordingly the rivers flow northwest from the Blue Ridge in deeper and deeper channels, until their gorges are overshadowed by the peaks of the Unakas, a mile in height above them. Certain types of surface prevail throughout the moun- surface forma. tain district. The mountains rest upon a low base, which varies from 1,500 to 2,500 feet in elevation. The rise of 2,000-5.000 feet up to the summits is made between narrow limits, so that the slopes are steep for the most part. Narrow valleys follow the rivers, in places from 2 to 5 miles in width, and with moderate eminences. From their borders rise the mountains, with slopes abruptly changing 20 degrees or more. These have a marked similarity throughout the mountains, whether high or low. The summits are usually rounded, and cliffs only here and there mar the smoothness of the slopes. The general aspect of these mountains is one of flowing curves, and their grandeur is impressed on the observer by their mass rather than by outline. THE RXVEB, SYSTEMS. Probably no region in the United States is better watered flo™^"""™ "' or better drained than this. Most of the water passes into the Mississippi, through Tennessee River and its tributaries. Chief of these are the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Little
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).