Little Obed River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Obed River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Crossville, Tennessee 1,690 ft (520 m) |
| River mouth | Obed River |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
The Little Obed River is a small but mighty stream located in Cumberland County, Tennessee. It flows for about 10 miles (16 kilometers) across the high, flat land of the Cumberland Plateau. This river is famous for carving a very deep valley, or gorge, into the ancient rocks of the plateau.
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Exploring the Little Obed River
The Little Obed River is a fascinating natural feature in Tennessee. Even though it's not a huge river, it has played a big role in shaping the land around it. Its journey through the Cumberland Plateau is a great example of how water can change the Earth over long periods of time.
Where the River Begins
The Little Obed River starts its journey east of Crossville. Right from near its beginning, the river flows into a deep valley. This valley is often called a gorge. It's a narrow, deep cut that the river has made into the rocks.
How the Gorge Was Formed
The gorge of the Little Obed River seems very deep for such a small stream. This is common for many rivers on the Cumberland Plateau. The rocks here are mostly sandstones from the Pennsylvanian Period. This was a very long time ago in Earth's history, about 323 to 299 million years ago!
The river has a lot of "erosive power." This means it can wear away rock and soil. The area gets a lot of rain, often very heavy. This strong rainfall helps the river to cut deeper and deeper into the rock over millions of years. It's like a natural carving tool!
Bridges and Connections
The Little Obed River and its deep gorge are crossed by U.S. Highway 127. This bridge is just north of Crossville. It allows people to travel easily over the impressive valley the river has created.
The Little Obed River eventually joins a larger river called the Obed River. This meeting point, called a "confluence," is a little northwest of Crossville. Near this spot, you can still see parts of an old bridge. This bridge was once part of a railroad that connected the cities of Nashville and Knoxville.
