Clear Waters From Clear Fork River

Notice the V-Shaped Valley in the upper left corner
There is a creek that runs through there and will empty into
the Clear Fork of the Cumberland River just
downstream from here.

Many people have a river or creek that runs through their village, town or city.  Especially if they live in Karstic regions in moderate zones.  Take, for example, the Ozark Plateau or the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas along with, Southeast Kentucky and Northeast Tennessee, down the western slopes of the Southern Appalachian Mountains! 

But what if there are some rapids like the image to the left, the "Train Wreck Rapids," as it is affectionately known by whitewater enthusiasts, that is on the river or stream that is floating by? The Clear Fork of the Cumberland River is no exception to the rules that many other Karstic rivers have.

Map of the Clear Fork Basin

The Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas has ridges that run east to west.  This is why rivers generally flow eastward there.  The Appalachian Mountains has a series of ridges that run southwest to northeast. It would make sense that rivers in this area will flow downhill following these paths.  Of course, rivers will form valleys by cutting their beds, moving sediments downstream, changing courses over time, creating their own little flood valley.  

Erosion is taking place here.
Notice how the rainwater over many years have
cut through the ground, creating it's own
stream-bed.  This may become a stream one of
these days!

Clear Fork starts in Bell County, Kentucky, where Tennessee and Virginia border in the southeast corner.  This would make it real close to the Cumberland Gap.  The river runs southwest to west southwest, (which tells us that the elevation is getting lower in this direction) entering the state of Tennessee, where it continues to flow in a southwesterly direction and then curves to the west and northwest.  When the river starts to flow northerly, there must be a ridge just to the south of where the river bends.  There is an opening to the west that is lower than the south, therefore, Clear Fork will take a westerly then a northerly direction, as it continues to go downhill.  Clear Fork reenters the State of Kentucky in the county just to the west of it's origin, Whitley County.  Here, the river flows into the Cumberland, just east of Williamsburg, the county seat.

A road runs right by the Clear Fork (to the right of the road).
The cliff face to the left was made by human activity
when creating a path for this road.

The Clear Fork River, right before flowing into the
Cumberland River just east of Williamsburg, KY

In Claibourne County, Tennessee, there is a city that sits where Interstate 75 goes north into Kentucky (also where the river is).  This town is Jellico and it is the home of the Clear Fork Watershed Council.  I know, because I have a cousin, Derek Douglas, who is heavily involved with that Community Organization.  It is he, that I must thank for posting these fascinating photos, which he so kindly allows me to publish here!  For more information, please visit their facebook page, 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clear-Fork-Watershed-Council/141815149225594

That's a nice looking cliff face! I can tell that it has gone through it's share of erosion. That "tannish" color was recent, where the rock fell out. Eventually, it will turn into the bluish-gray, blending with the surroundings. I notice to that the top extends further out above the road than the bottom does. When its freezing, the water that runs through these rocks will turn to ice.  When this happens on a continual basis (freezing, thawing, freezing, thawing, etc.), the rock formation will eventually break because of the stress, causing this discoloration to occur.  From this photo, I can tell there is a lot of limestone in the area, so this is definitely Karstic, with it's share of spring-fed creeks and streams, along with numerous caves.

Thanks!
Jack Douglas