Powell Valley facts for kids
Powell Valley is a beautiful area in southwestern Virginia, in the United States. It's found close to the city of Norton and the town of Big Stone Gap, both in Wise County, Virginia.
This valley is a very scenic spot. You can even see it from a special viewing point if you're driving north on U.S. Route 23. Below this viewpoint, you'll see many homes, farms, and even a church nestled in the valley.
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Where Powell Valley Begins
The Powell Valley starts between two mountains: Powell Mountain and Little Stone Mountain. This is where the Powell River begins its journey, flowing down from the rugged mountains of western Wise County.
A Dramatic Landscape
Near a place called Grindstone Ridge, you can see a huge rock face where Stone Mountain and Powell Mountain meet. This area shows a really big change in height very quickly! In less than a mile, the land rises about 2,000 feet (which is about 610 meters). This makes it one of the most dramatic changes in height in the southern Appalachian Mountains, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
The valley then follows the Powell River as it flows west, heading towards the border with Tennessee.
A Geologic Wonder
Powell Valley is truly special because it's part of the High Knob Landform. It sits right in the middle of this amazing natural area, which makes it a real wonder of geology. Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure and substances.
Early Explorers and Settlers
A famous person named Joseph Martin helped open up Powell Valley for people to settle there. He was a "longhunter," which means he was an explorer who traveled long distances to hunt and explore new lands. Later, he became a general in the American Revolutionary War. His efforts made it possible for settlers to move into the valley from the east.
