Elk River (North Carolina–Tennessee)

Elk River
Elk River in North Carolina
Location of the mouth of Elk River in Tennessee
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesNorth Carolina, Tennessee
CountiesAvery NC, Carter TN
Physical characteristics
SourceHanging Rock Gap
 • locationSugar Mountain, North Carolina
 • coordinates36°08′15″N 81°49′59″W / 36.13750°N 81.83306°W / 36.13750; -81.83306
 • elevation4,389 ft (1,338 m)
MouthWatauga River
 • location
Fish Springs, Tennessee
 • coordinates
36°18′45″N 81°59′29″W / 36.31250°N 81.99139°W / 36.31250; -81.99139
 • elevation
1,952 ft (595 m)
Basin features
ProgressionElk → WataugaHolstonTennesseeOhioMississippiGulf of Mexico
River systemWatauga River
Tributaries 
 • leftFlattop Creek, Sugar Creek, Wildcat Creek, Leroy Creek, Ramp Branch, Curtis Creek, Cranberry Creek, Little Elk Creek, Jones Branch, Sugar Hollow Branch, Little Laural Branch, Heaton Branch
 • rightHanging Rock Creek, Shawneehaw Creek, Whitehead Creek, Horney Branch, Peavine Branch, Skalley Branch, Fall Creek, Nowhere Branch, Asher Branch
WaterfallsElk River Falls

The Elk River is a large stream in the North Carolina High Country and East Tennessee. The headwaters begin from the Northwestern slopes of Peak Mountain in Avery County, North Carolina and end at the Watauga River in Carter County, Tennessee.