South Toe River

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox river | name = South Toe River | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = | nickname =  | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | image_alt =  | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | map_alt = | pushpin_map = USA North Carolina | pushpin_map_size = 300 | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of South Toe River in North Carolina | pushpin_map_alt =  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = North Carolina | subdivision_type3 = County | subdivision_name3 = Yancey | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = {{convert|32.7|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=geoviewer>{{cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ada349b90c26496ea52aab66a092593b |website=epa.maps.arcgis.com |publisher=US EPA |accessdate=December 29, 2020}}</ref> | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = Confluence of Hemphill Creek and Left Prong South Toe River | source1_location = North Carolina | source1_coordinates= {{coord|35|42|39|N|82|15|01|W|display=inline}}<ref name=gnis/> | source1_elevation = {{convert|3855|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=USGS>''Montreat, NC,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1994 (1998 rev.)</ref> | mouth = North Toe River | mouth_location = Kona, North Carolina | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|35|56|36|N|82|11|10|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|id=1015714|name=South Toe River|entrydate=June 17, 1980|access-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref> | mouth_elevation = {{convert|2333|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="gnis"/> | progression = South Toe → North Toe → Nolichucky → French Broad → Tennessee → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico | river_system = French Broad River | basin_size = {{convert|227.99|sqmi}}<ref name=geoviewer/> | basin_landmarks = | basin_population = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | waterbodies = | waterfalls = | bridges = | ports = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} thumb|left|upright|Crossing the South Toe River The '''South Toe River''' is a river in Yancey County in Western North Carolina.<ref name = gnis/> The name Toe is taken from its original name Estatoe, pronounced 'S - ta - toe', a native American name associated with the Estatoe trade route leading down from the NC mountains through Brevard where there is a historical plaque with information that affirms the route, on into South Carolina where a village of the same name was located.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The stream headwaters originate in the ravine between the eastern side of the Black Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Eastern Continental Divide<ref name=USGS/> at {{coord|35|42|39|N|82|15|01|W|display=inline}}.<ref name = gnis/> It flows northward, alongside North Carolina Highway 80, until it merges with the North Toe River at about 2333 feet above sea level at {{coord|35|56|36|N|82|11|10|W|display=inline}}.<ref name = gnis/> At the confluence the far bank (northeast) of the North Toe lies within Mitchell County and the community of Kona lies on the east bank of the North Toe less than one-half mile to the northwest.<ref>''Micaville, NC,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1960 (1979 rev.)</ref> The water continues to the Nolichucky River, Tennessee River, Ohio River, and Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission stocks much of the river with trout for fishing, but the headwaters is designated as wild trout waters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NC Fishing Areas|url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/fishingareas?PMTWStreamID=406|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref> The river is also home to a population of the Appalachian elktoe, an endangered species of freshwater mussel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Linking effects of land use, climate change and water physicochemistry on the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana) in Western North Carolina {{!}} Aquatic Conservation Research Lab {{!}} Appalachian State University|url=https://acrl.appstate.edu/projects/102|access-date=2021-03-16|website=acrl.appstate.edu}}</ref>

Tributaries from the west side include Hemphill Creek, Right Prong South Toe River, Left Prong South Toe River, South Fork Upper Creek, Middle Fork Upper Creek, Grassy Knob Branch, Lower Creek, Camp Creek, Setrock Creek, Little Mountain Creek, Laurel Branch, Middle Creek, Rock Creek, Colbert Creek, Locust Creek, Oak Forest Creek, White Oak Creek, and Brown's Creek. Tributaries coming from the east side include, Still Fork Creek, Clear Creek, Little White Oak Creek, Hannah Branch, Bobs Creek, Phips Branch, Murphy Branch.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interactive Mapper - ScienceBase-Catalog|url=https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/imap/5d7158b0e4b0c4f70cfe3f03|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.sciencebase.gov}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Rivers of North Carolina Category:Tributaries of the French Broad River Category:Rivers of Yancey County, North Carolina