Clinch River

The Clinch River rises in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell, Virginia and flows nearly 300 miles southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley, gathering various tributaries including the Powell River before joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee. Before being dammed, the Clinch River was a major producer of freshwater mussels and pearls. A section of the lower Clinch River near Knoxville, Tennessee is designated a scenic river and provides recreational paddling opportunities along the proposed Pellissippi Blueway between two major Tennessee Valley Authority dams. The Clinch River is part of the Tennessee Blueways Program (BluewaysTN).

Quick Facts

• Located in Anderson, Knox, Roane, and Loudon counties
• Approximately 19 miles designated
• Designated a Class III Partially Developed River Area on May 14, 1996 as "That portion from Melton Hill Dam upstream to Pellissippi Parkway."

Points of Interest