Tar River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tar River |
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Region | South |
| Cities | Louisburg, North Carolina, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Tarboro, North Carolina, Greenville, North Carolina, Washington, North Carolina |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | a freshwater spring Person County, North Carolina, United States 715 ft (218 m) 36°24′54″N 78°49′15″W / 36.41500°N 78.82083°W |
| River mouth | Pamlico Sound (as the Pamlico River) Lowland, North Carolina, United States −13 ft (−4.0 m) 35°20′08″N 76°28′20″W / 35.33556°N 76.47222°W |
| Length | 346 km (215 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 15,920 km2 (6,150 sq mi) |
The Tar River is a river in northeastern North Carolina, United States. It is about 346 kilometers (215 mi) long. The river flows generally southeast until it reaches an estuary of Pamlico Sound. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, mixing fresh and salt water.
When the Tar River flows under the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge in Washington, North Carolina, it changes its name. From that point on, it is known as the tidal Pamlico River.
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Why is it called the Tar River?
The name "Tar River" comes from its history. Long ago, North Carolina was important for "naval stores." This means the British Navy used the tall pine trees from the coastal plain. They used the wood for ship masts. They also used pine pitch to make tar for sealing boats.
The river was a main route for barges carrying this tar to the sea. This is how the river got its name. The city of Tarboro is also located along the river's banks.
Before the American Civil War, the North Carolina government helped improve the Tar River. They built dams and locks. This made it easier for boats to travel almost all year. Farmers could ship their goods, and naval stores could be transported. Passenger boats also traveled between Tarboro, Greenville, and Washington.
Cities and Towns Along the Tar River
Many towns and cities are found along the Tar River. These include:
The village of Old Sparta used to be a very busy riverport on the Tar River. However, its importance decreased in the 20th century.
The Tar River During the Civil War
There is a story from the American Civil War that also explains the river's name. In March 1862, Confederate soldiers were leaving Washington, North Carolina. They destroyed cotton and naval stores along the Tar River. This was to stop them from falling into the hands of Union soldiers.
At Taft's store, they found over 1,000 barrels of turpentine and tar. There was too much to burn without damaging houses. So, the barrels were rolled into the river. Their contents were then dumped into the water.
A Sticky Situation for Soldiers
Three months later, in June, Union prisoners of war were being exchanged. They were sent from Salisbury to Washington, North Carolina. Before reaching Washington, the soldiers asked to bathe in the river. They wanted to clean themselves.
Guards watched as the prisoners went into the water. But when they stirred the river bottom, the tar covered their bodies! Each soldier came out needing a stick to scrape the tar off. One Confederate soldier joked, "Hello boys, what’s the matter?" A Union soldier replied, "We have heard of Tar River all our lives but never believed that there really was any such place, but we've found it, the whole bed of it is tar!"
How Hurricanes Affect the Tar River
The Tar River has been greatly affected by strong storms called hurricanes. These storms can cause a lot of flooding.
Hurricane Floyd's Impact (1999)
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused severe flooding along the Tar River. The river experienced its worst flooding from this hurricane. The water levels went higher than what is expected in a 500-year flood. In some lower parts of the river, it rose 24 feet (7.3 m) above its normal flood stage. In Greenville, the river reached about 30 feet high during this flood.
Hurricane Matthew's Impact (2016)
The Tar River was also affected by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. In some areas, the river rose as much as 24.5 feet (7.5 m) above its flood stage. The high water levels lasted for up to three days.
Images for kids
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Flooding in 1999
