North Toe River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids North Toe River
Bridge over the North Toe River in Newland
Location of the mouth of North Toe River in North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Counties	Avery, Mitchell, Yancey
Physical characteristics
Main source	Sugar Gap Sugar Mountain, North Carolina 4,350 ft (1,330 m) 36°07′47″N 81°53′13″W / 36.12972°N 81.88694°W / 36.12972; -81.88694
River mouth	Nolichucky River Huntdale, North Carolina 2,021 ft (616 m) 36°01′44″N 82°19′37″W / 36.02889°N 82.32694°W / 36.02889; -82.32694
Length	73.6 mi (118.4 km)
Basin features
Progression	North Toe → Nolichucky → French Broad → Tennessee → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico
River system	French Broad River
Basin size	1,146.22 square miles (2,968.7 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Kentucky Creek, Cow Camp Creek, Haw Branch, Row Branch, Squirrel Creek, Plumtree Creek, Pancake Branch, Clear Creek, Threemile Creek, Brushy Creek, Laurel Creek, Harris Creek, White Oak Branch, Rose Creek, Cathis Creek, Grassy Creek, English Creek, Big Branch, Wolf Branch, South Toe River, Chestnut Branch, Brush Creek, Pigpen Creek, Jacks Creek, Bee Branch, McKinney Branch, Cane River Right: Hickorynut Branch, Whiteoak Creek, Banjo Branch,Fall Branch, Horse Branch, Gooseneck Branch, Birchfield Creek, Race Path Branch, Whitaker Branch, Roaring Creek, Powdermill Creek, Doublehead Creek, Henson Creek, Justice Creek, Puatt Creek, Jones Creek, Little Laurel Branch, Bill Davenport Branch, Jake Creek, Beaver Creek, Pine Branch, Little Bear Creek, Lily Branch, Gouge Branch, Sink Hole Creek, Rose Creek, Cane Creek, Whitson Branch, Big Rock Creek, Raccoon Creek, Warrick Branch, Brummett Creek, Pigeonroost Creek, Cooper Branch, Rebels Creek

The North Toe River is a river in North Carolina, United States. It's like the beginning part, or "headwaters," of a bigger river called the Nolichucky River. The North Toe River is also part of the French Broad River system. It starts at a place called Sugar Gap, near Sugar Mountain. From there, it flows for about 73.6 miles (118.4 km) through Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.

Exploring the North Toe River's Past

Who Lived Near the River?

Long ago, the Catawba and Cherokee Native American tribes used to visit the Toe River valley. They didn't live there all the time, but they likely used the area for hunting animals.

Early European Visitors

The first European to explore this area was a Spanish explorer named Hernando de Soto in 1540. He might have even done some mining for valuable minerals near the river. Later, in the 1560s, another Spanish explorer named Juan Pardo also visited. He was trying to find a land route to a place called Zacatecas in what is now Mexico.

Settlers Arrive

In the 1700s, people from Europe began to settle in the area. These settlers included people of English, Scotch-Irish, and German backgrounds.

Keeping the North Toe River Clean

Understanding River Health

The North Toe River is generally healthy, especially in its upper parts. However, some smaller streams that flow into it can be affected. This happens when water runs off from farms or developed areas, carrying things that can make the water less clean.

Protecting the River from Pollution

Further downstream, the river has sometimes been impacted by water from mining operations. This water can sometimes make the river dirty. For example, in 2018, a harmful substance accidentally got into the river. This unfortunate event caused some fish to die. It shows why it's so important to protect our rivers and keep them clean for all living things.