The Holston River Watershed

The Holston River watershed provides many benefits for humans, but human impacts can lead to damage being done to the environment. This week, I took a closer look at the primary land uses within the watershed and learned about some aspects that can be damaging, and in some cases, what organizations are doing to help.

The Holston River Watershed (HRW) provides diverse recreational opportunities for those who visit southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. If you like the outdoors, there is something in the area for you!   Fishing is one of the primary activities advertised for the HRW. The three forks of the Holston River (North, Middle, and South) provide ample fishing opportunities for locals and visitors alike. Fly fishing is extremely popular , and wild brown trout or stocked rainbow trout ar e commonly caught (if you’re lucky!) . Largemouth bass are also frequently caught in the area but are typically found in lakes and ponds within the watershed. While these are the most common species sought after, bluegills, catfish, crappie, and others can be found depending on location .   If fishing isn’t your forte, no need to fret! Many trails are available for hikers, bikers, and even horseback riders! The V irginia Creep er Trail provides opportunities for all three of these a...

Hi Everyone! My name is Lucinda and I am studying the Holston River watershed (HRW). The Holston River flows through southwest Virginia into Tennessee, and the watershed is approximately 3,776 square miles. The attached map (figure 1) from the EPA gives an overview of the entire watershed, but I also decided to map a much small watershed within the HRW. Cressy Creek (figure 2) was selected because the Round Leaf Birch, which I will discuss in detail later, is endemic to Marion, VA. I look forward to sharing more information on the HRW in the months to come! Figure 1 : Overview of the Holston River Watershed Figure 2 : Cressy Creek Watershed, home to Round Leaf Birch trees