Wolf River (Middle Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolf River |
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The Wolf River near Pall Mall, Tennessee
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Pogue Creek and Delk Creek near Pall Mall, Tennessee |
| River mouth | Obey River (now part of Dale Hollow Lake) in northeast Clay County, Tennessee 36°36′55″N 85°17′53″W / 36.6153411°N 85.2980174°W |
The Wolf River is a river about 40 miles (65 km) long. It flows through parts of Tennessee and Kentucky. This river starts near the Cumberland Plateau and flows west. It eventually joins the Obey River in the Dale Hollow Reservoir.
The Wolf River is part of a larger water system called the Cumberland River basin. Its waters travel through the Cumberland and Ohio rivers. Eventually, they reach the mighty Mississippi River. There's another river also called the Wolf River in West Tennessee. That one flows into the Mississippi River near Memphis. Don't get them mixed up!
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Where the Wolf River Begins
The Wolf River starts where two smaller streams meet. These streams are Pogue Creek and Delk Creek. This meeting point is in a rough, hollow area. It is about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of a town called Pall Mall.
Journey Through Towns
Just a couple of miles from its start, the Wolf River gets bigger. It takes in water from another stream called Rotten Fork. After this, the river flows through the communities of Wolf River and Pall Mall. These places are famous because of Alvin C. York. He was a hero from World War I.
Alvin C. York's Connection
Alvin C. York had his farm and a gristmill right along the Wolf River in Pall Mall. A gristmill is a place where grain is ground into flour. He and his family are buried in a large cemetery at Wolf River. Today, York's farm is a state historic park. You can visit it and learn about his life.
Flowing Westward
After leaving Pall Mall, the river continues its journey west. It crosses the northeastern Highland Rim area. Then it enters Pickett County. The river passes just north of Byrdstown. It flows through an area with rolling hills, forests, and farms.
Reaching Dale Hollow Lake
The Wolf River briefly crosses into Clinton County, Kentucky. Here, its water slows down. This is because it is getting close to the Dale Hollow Reservoir. This large lake was formed by damming the Obey River. The Wolf River joins the Obey River just southeast of where three areas meet: Pickett County, Tennessee, Clay County, Tennessee, and Clinton County, Kentucky. The lower part of the Wolf River is like a long arm of Dale Hollow Lake. This part of the lake also reaches into Cumberland County, Kentucky.
