Swannanoa River

rdf:langString Swannanoa River

rdf:langString Swannanoa River

rdf:langString Swannanoa River

rdf:langString about 0.25 miles south of Swannanoa Gap

rdf:langString Gashes Creek

rdf:langString Christian Branch

rdf:langString Ram Branch

rdf:langString Sweeten Creek

rdf:langString Bull Creek

rdf:langString Grassy Branch

rdf:langString Ross Creek

rdf:langString Haw Creek

rdf:langString Swannanoa River at Asheville, North Carolina

rdf:langString USA North Carolina#USA

rdf:langString Location of Swannanoa River mouth

rdf:langString divide between Swannanoa River and Catawba River

rdf:langString City

rdf:langString Country

rdf:langString State

rdf:langString County

rdf:langString The Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of the region of Western North Carolina, and is a major tributary to the French Broad River. Its headwaters arise in Black Mountain, NC; however, it also has a major tributary near its headwaters: Flat Creek, which begins on the slopes of Mount Mitchell. The Swannanoa River ends at its confluence with the French Broad, now within the grounds of the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The estate encompasses numerous ancient Native American sites, including an earthwork platform mound, now known as , that is located south of the Swannanoa River. Based on evidence from excavations conducted there in the early 21st century, the mound was started by indigenous people between 400 and 550CE, with the second to last stage of the mound built about 580-600CE. It was built over a Connestee Phase habitation (built during the Pisgah phase) in the Middle Woodland period. The historic Cherokee people occupied this area, which is part of their traditional homeland in this region. The mound has been identified as an area of feasting. The Cherokee called this site near the confluence Untokiasdiyi, meaning "where they race." They used it as a meeting place and area of competitive ritual games. Under pressure from European-American settlers, the Cherokee ceded their land here in 1819. This site near the Swannanoa River was later abandoned and became overgrown. At one time there was plowing in the area, reducing the height of the mound, but it is distinguished by a much wider, oval-shaped base. The mound was rediscovered in 1984. It was first excavated in a more than two-year project by a team from Appalachian State University, beginning in 2000. The river is 22 miles or 35 kilometers long, and it flows entirely within the geographical boundaries of Buncombe County. It is a valuable resource to the county, providing drinking water to the Asheville metropolitan area, and numerous recreational opportunities. In September 2004, extremely heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Ivan caused the Swannanoa to flood, causing major damage to the Biltmore Village section of Asheville, and to the other communities that it flows through.

rdf:langString Yates Avenue, Old US 70, Broadway Street, S Blue Ridge Road, I-40, US 70, Paton Hill Road, Riverwood Road, Davidson Road, Warren Wilson College Road, Tunnel Road , E Azalea Road, I-240, S Tunnel Road, Biltmore Avenue, Biltmore Estate Road

rdf:langString at mouth with French Broad River

rdf:langString French Broad River

rdf:langString French Broad River

rdf:langString Tributary to French Broad River

rdf:langString French Broad River