Rocky River (North Carolina) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rocky River
Map of the Pee Dee River watershed showing the Rocky River
Location of Rocky River mouth
Other name(s)	Tributary to Pee Dee River
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Anson Cabarrus Iredell Mecklenburg Richmond Stanly Union
Physical characteristics
Main source	divide between Rocky River and Catawba River Mooresville, North Carolina 885 ft (270 m) 35°35′01″N 080°47′15″W / 35.58361°N 80.78750°W / 35.58361; -80.78750
River mouth	Pee Dee River about 3 miles northeast of Ansonville, North Carolina 190 ft (58 m) 35°08′36″N 080°04′35″W / 35.14333°N 80.07639°W / 35.14333; -80.07639
Length	94.16 mi (151.54 km)
Basin features
Progression	generally southeast
River system	Pee Dee River
Basin size	1,471.3 square miles (3,811 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Coddle Creek Irish Buffalo Creek Hamby Branch Dutch Buffalo Creek Little Meadow Creek Meadow Creek Camp Branch Pumpkin Creek Rock Hole Creek Island Creek Coldwater Branch Gilberts Creek Big Bear Creek Murray Branch Stillhouse Branch Spears Branch Coopers Creek Jacks Branch Hardy Creek Big Cedar Creek Little Cedar Creek Right: Dye Creek West Branch Clarke Creek Mallard Creek Back Creek Reedy Creek Bost Creek Anderson Creek Muddy Creek Clear Creek Goose Creek Crooked Creek Grassy Creek Reason Branch Crisco Branch Cedar Branch Richardson Creek Cribs Creek Lanes Creek Little Creek Bowsaw Branch Camp Branch

The Rocky River is a 95-mile-long (153 km) river in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. It begins in Iredell County near Mooresville and flows south into Cabarrus County, where it is the principal waterway in the county. The river continues southeastward to form the line between Stanly, Union, and Anson counties. It empties into the Pee Dee River just below Norwood, North Carolina at the junction of Stanly, Montgomery, Anson, and Richmond counties, at the foot of the Uwharrie Mountains.

Efforts are being made to boost tourism and canoe and kayak recreation along Rocky River "Blueway" as part of the Carolina Thread Trail.

Private, non-profit organizations have developed park lands for improved river access, but some controversy ensued.