Rockcastle River
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Rockcastle River
| name_native =
| name_native_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =
| image = Rockcastle River.jpg
| image_caption = A kayak on the Rockcastle River
| map =
| map_size = 280
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = USA Kentucky
| pushpin_map_size = 280
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of the Rockcastle River in Kentucky
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = Kentucky
| subdivision_type3 = County
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
| length = {{convert|55|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =
| source1 = Jackson County line
| source1_location = kentucky
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|37|20|10|N|84|7|8|W|display=inline}}{{GNIS|515038|Rockcastle River}}
| source1_elevation =
| mouth = Cumberland River
| mouth_location = kentucky
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|36|57|36|N|84|21|25|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|888|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|4100|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}
The Rockcastle River is a {{convert|54.8|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed June 8, 2011 river primarily in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, United States. It is a tributary of the Cumberland River and therefore, via the Ohio River, part of the Mississippi River watershed.
Origin of Name
In 1750 it was discovered by Dr. Thomas Walker and his exploring party, known as the Loyal Company. In his journal he named it the Lawless River, describing it as very steep and rocky.{{Cite web|title=Journal of Dr. Thomas Walker|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/settlement/loyalcompany02.html|access-date=2021-07-20|website=www.wvculture.org}} It was soon renamed by hunter Isaac Lindsey who founded Rockcastle County in 1767. Lindsey named the river after the castle-like rock formations.{{Cite web|title=History – Rockcastle Tourism|url=https://www.rockcastletourism.com/information/history/|access-date=2021-07-20|language=en-US}}
Course
The elevation is 888 ft. with the geolocation at (37.171, -84.296).{{Cite web|title=Rockcastle River At Billows Flow Report {{!}} Kentucky USGS 03406500|url=https://snoflo.org/report/flow/kentucky/rockcastle-river-at-billows/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=snoflo.org|language=en}} The river has two forks, the Middle Fork, which forms in southern Jackson County, and the South Fork, which forms in Clay County. They meet at the Jackson County line and flow south, forming the southeast border of Rockcastle County. It makes up the border between Pulaski and Laurel counties before flowing into the Cumberland River. Due to the river carving into the Cumberland Plateau, many limestone and sandstone caves are formed.{{Cite web|title=Rockcastle River|url=https://www.kwalliance.org/rockcastle-river.html|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Kentucky Waterways Alliance|language=en}}
The river is used for recreational activities such as kayaking for sport through the rapid waters, and fishing for the many fish species.
Flora and Fauna
The river has an important native walleye population that has stabilized in recent years.{{Cite book|last=Dreves|first=David P.|title=Investigation of the Walleye Population in the Rockcastle River and Evaluation of Supplemental Stocking of Native Strain Walleye|year=2015|pages=1–31}} The waters also contain over 65 fish species including rock bass, small mouth bass, with a variety of bluegill and other pan fish. Over 38 mussel species and 10 crayfish species are also found in the waters of the river. The small cave systems formed in the limestone provides a home for several bat species, amphibians, and reptiles. Black bears are known to swim the waters and navigate the rocky banks.{{Cite web|title=Rockcastle River|url=https://www.kwalliance.org/rockcastle-river.html|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Kentucky Waterways Alliance|language=en}} The gravel terrain provides life for many rare species of plants such as the Eurybia saxicastelli. The Rockcastle Conservation Initiative formed in 2010 works to protect the diversity of this important habitat.{{Cite web|title=Rockcastle Conservation Initiative|url=https://www.kwalliance.org/rockcastle-conservation-initiative.html}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/districts/london/rockcastle.shtml US Forest Service - Rockcastle River Watershed]
{{authority control}}
Category:Rivers of Jackson County, Kentucky
Category:Rivers of Clay County, Kentucky
Category:Rivers of Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Category:Rivers of Pulaski County, Kentucky
Category:Rivers of Laurel County, Kentucky
Category:Tributaries of the Cumberland River
{{Kentucky-river-stub}}