Flint River (Alabama)

For other rivers named Flint, see Flint River (disambiguation).
Flint River
Flint River watershed
Elevation Profile vs River Length
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesAlabama and Tennessee
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationLincoln County, Tennessee
 • coordinates35°05′06″N 86°23′34″W / 35.08500°N 86.39278°W / 35.08500; -86.39278 [1]
 • elevation960 ft (290 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Tennessee River
 • coordinates
34°30′10″N 86°31′45″W / 34.50278°N 86.52917°W / 34.50278; -86.52917
 • elevation
550 ft (170 m)
Length65.7 mi (105.7 km)
Basin size568 sq mi (1,470 km2)
Discharge 
 • locationBrownsboro, Alabama
 • average642 cu ft/s (18.2 m3/s) [2]

The Flint River, 65.7 mi (105.7 km) long[3] and draining an area of 568 sq mi (1,470 km2), is a tributary to the Tennessee River. The river rises in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and flows south into Madison County, Alabama, where most of the river's watershed (342 sq. mi.) is located. The land within this watershed is predominantly agricultural and has experienced significant recent residential growth from the city of Huntsville. The U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program is currently investigating water quality in the lower Tennessee River basin with several monitoring activities targeted in the Flint River Basin.

Geology

The Flint River rises on the southwestern fringe of the Cumberland Escarpment and primarily drains the plains that have been created by the erosion of this fringe of the Appalachians.[4] Due to the sedimentary nature of this escarpment, which consists primarily of sandstone, star blue quartz can be found in small quantities in the stream bed because it easily survives weathering of its encasing stone.

Recreation

The Hays Nature Preserve offers trails and greenways along the portion of the river running through Huntsville.[5] Much of the river's course is suitable for canoeing and kayaking, and it is included as a route of the Alabama Scenic River Trail.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Geographic Names Information System". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  2. ^ "USGS Current Conditions for USGS 03575100 FLINT RIVER AT BROWNSBORO, AL".
  3. ^ "The National Map". U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  4. ^ LaMoreaux, Philip (1975). "Environmental Geology and Hydrology; Huntsville and Madison County Alabama" (PDF). Geological Survey of Alabama. p. 5. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  5. ^ "Hays Nature Preserve". City of Huntsville. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  6. ^ "Float the Flint River in Alabama | Kayaking & Canoeing". www.huntsville.org. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  7. ^ "Flint River | Rivers | ASRT". www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com. Retrieved 2024-12-18.