South Yadkin River

South Yadkin River
South Fork Yadkin River, Sapona
South Yadkin River is located in North Carolina
South Yadkin River
Confluence of the South Yadkin River and Yadkin River at High Rock Lake.
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesAlexander, Davie, Iredell, Rowan, Wilkes
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationAlexander County
 • coordinates36°01′58″N 81°09′22″W / 36.0329095°N 81.1561943°W / 36.0329095; -81.1561943
MouthConfluence with the Yadkin River
 • location
above High Rock Lake
 • coordinates
35°44′45″N 80°27′39″W / 35.7456947°N 80.4608909°W / 35.7456947; -80.4608909
Length75 mi-long (121 km)
Basin features
ProgressionSouth Yadkin River → Yadkin RiverPee Dee RiverAtlantic Ocean
River systemYadkin–Pee Dee River Basin
Tributaries 
 • leftSnow Creek, Rocky Creek, Hunting Creek, Bear Creek
 • rightFourth Creek, Third Creek, Second Creek
GNIS995225

The South Yadkin River is a 75 mi (121 km) long river that flows through Alexander, Davie, Iredell, Rowan, and Wilkes counties of North Carolina. The mouth is located north of High Rock Lake, where the South Yadkin River meets the Yadkin River. Major cities along the course of the South Yadkin River include, Statesville in Iredell County and Cooleemee in Davie County. The South Yadkin River forms the border of Davie and Rowan counties.[1][2] High Rock Lake begins at the confluence of the South Yadkin River and the similarly named and larger Yadkin River.

Tributaries

Major tributaries of the South Yadkin River include:[3]

  • Hunting Creek
  • Fourth Creek (see also Fourth Creek Congregation)
  • Third Creek
  • Second Creek and tributaries: Withrow's Creek, Back Creek, Cathy's Creek, and Sill's Creek

Sill's Creek was named for an early settler, John Sill, who settled there in 1749. Cathy's Creek was named for James Cathey, another early Rowan County settler. The Back Creek Presbyterian Church, named for the Creek, was founded in 1805.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: South Yadkin River
  2. ^ "Implementation Plan South Yadkin River Watershed: 03040102" (PDF). The County of Alexander, North Carolina (official). January 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  3. ^ "South Yadkin River". North Carolina Department of Water Quality. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Rumple, Jethro (1881). History of Rowan County (PDF). Salisbury, North Carolina: J. J. Bruner.
  5. ^ "Gazetteer". NCPedia. Retrieved September 25, 2022.