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Martin's Fork (Cumberland River tributary) facts for kids

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Martins Fork
USACE Martins Fork Dam and Lake.jpg
Physical characteristics
River mouth Harlan, Kentucky
1,158 ft (353 m)
36°50′42″N 83°19′27″W / 36.84500°N 83.32417°W / 36.84500; -83.32417
Length 32 mi (51 km)
Basin features
Progression CumberlandOhioMississippi

Martins Fork is a river in Kentucky, United States. It flows for about 32 miles (51 kilometers). This river is located in Bell and Harlan Counties. It is an important part of a much larger river system in the eastern U.S.

About Martins Fork River

Martins Fork is known as a "fork" because it's like a branch of a bigger river. It starts its journey in the Cumberland Mountains. These mountains are a part of the huge Appalachian Mountains range.

The river flows generally east and then north. It winds its way through the beautiful mountain landscape.

Where Martins Fork Flows

The river begins high up in the Cumberland Mountains. From there, it travels through the counties of Bell and Harlan. It collects water from smaller streams along its path.

Its journey ends in a town called Harlan. Here, Martins Fork meets another river called the Clover Fork.

The Start of the Cumberland River

When Martins Fork and Clover Fork meet in Harlan, something special happens. Their meeting point is officially the very beginning of the Cumberland River. The Cumberland River is a major river in the southern United States.

So, Martins Fork helps create one of the important rivers in the region. The Cumberland River then flows into the Ohio River, which eventually joins the mighty Mississippi River. This makes Martins Fork a small but important part of a very big water journey!

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