WATAUGA. RIVER BASIN. Ill 



COVE CREEK DISTRICT (WATAUGA COUNTY, N. c). 



Boundaries. On the north, the State line; on the east, the New River 

 divide; on the south, Brushy Fork of Watauga River; on the west, the western 

 divide of the Cove Creek basin. 



Area. Total, 36 square miles; cleared, 21 square miles; wooded, 15 square 

 miles. 



Surface. Along the creek are about 4 square miles of gentl3"-sloping bottom 

 land. The western slopes of Rich and Snake mountains are very steep, but 

 much of the remaining hilly land has slopes moderate enough to be pastured, 

 commonly 20 to 30. 



Soil. The soil is a dark and porous loam, derived principally from gneiss. 

 It is usually very fertile. 



Agricioltural value. V^ hen newly cleared this land yielded heavy crops of 

 grain and grass. Much of it is now badly washed, but about 10 square miles 

 are adapted to permanent agriculture. 



Timher trees. Chestnut, 20 per cent; white oak, 10 per cent; red oak, 5 per 

 cent; chestnut oak, 3 per cent; black oak, 3 per cent; hemlock, 5 per cent; 

 white pine, 2 per cent; maple, 5 per cent; beech, 3 per cent; birch, 3 per cent; 

 cucumber, 3 per cent; buckeye, 4 per cent; gum, 3 per cent; ash, 1 per cent; 

 other species, 30 per cent. 



Yield. \^og timber, 20,720 M feet B. M.; small wood, 179,200 cords. 



Demand. Local only, except for figured woods. 



Accessibility. The nearest railroad point is on the Virginia and Southwestern 

 Railway, 15 miles distant, by a ver}^ rough and hill}^ wagon road, from the center 

 of this tract. The slopes of Rich and Snake mountains are very steep, bu' not 

 otherwise difficult to log. 



Fire. The numerous clearings afford good protection from fires for most of 

 the tract. The mountain sides are liable to be burned and bear evidence of 

 some recent severe burning on about 1,500 acres. 



Second growth. Saplings are abundant on most of the woodlands. 



Undergrowth. Generally light. 



Reprodiict ion . F ree . 



Rate of growth. Rapid. 



Water yov^er. Limited. Cove Creek is very inconstant; Watauga River 

 would furnish a moderate power. 



Ownership. Local and, except on Snake and Rich mountains, divided fnto 

 small holdings. 



Occupancy. About 130 families are living in this valley. 



Prices of land. Mountain lands bring from $1 to $5 per acre; farm lands, 

 from $5 to $35. 



