Little River (Oconee County, South Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| Region | Oconee County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Salem, South Carolina 34°54′58″N 83°0′9″W / 34.91611°N 83.00250°W |
| River mouth | Seneca, South Carolina 34°44′08″N 82°53′29″W / 34.73556°N 82.89139°W |
The Little River is a small but important river in South Carolina, United States. It starts in the northern part of Oconee County, South Carolina, near a town called Salem, South Carolina. Originally, it flowed for about 27 miles (43.5 km) before joining the Keowee River northeast of Seneca, South Carolina.
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How the Little River Changed Over Time
The Little River's path and flow have changed quite a bit over the years. This happened because people built dams to create power and make lakes.
Powering the Newry Mill
Back in the 1890s, a dam was built on the Little River near Newry, South Carolina. This dam helped power the Newry Mill. Mills like this used the force of flowing water to make machines work. This was a common way to power factories before electricity was widely available.
Creating New Lakes
In the early 1960s, a large part of the lower Little River was flooded. This happened when the Lake Hartwell reservoir was created. A reservoir is like a giant artificial lake made by building a dam across a river.
Later, in the early 1970s, another dam was built upstream of Newry. This dam was one of two dams that helped form Lake Keowee. So, parts of the Little River became submerged under these big lakes.
The River Today
Even with these changes, some parts of the Little River still flow freely. This means they are not dammed or part of a lake. These free-flowing sections continue to be important for local wildlife and the environment.
The Little River and the Cherokee People
The Little River was a very important place for the Cherokee people. This area was known as the "Cherokee Lower Towns region." Many Cherokee towns were located right along the riverbanks. The river provided water, food, and a way to travel. It was central to their daily lives and culture for many years.
