Localwaters

The Tellico River rises in the westernmost mountains of North Carolina, but it flows mainly through Monroe County, Tennessee. It is a major tributary of the Little Tennessee River and the namesake of Tellico Reservoir, a reservoir created by Tellico Dam, which impounds the lower reaches of the Tellico River and the Little Tennessee River and was famous during the 1970s for the snail darter controversy.

The Tellico River and its main tributaries are renowned for their brook, brown, and rainbow trout fishing. Upstream from Tellico Lake, above Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the Tellico is a premier trout stream. It meanders through a mountain gorge before reaching the broad plains downstream of Tellico Plains.

The Tellico River rises in the Unicoi Range near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line, in the Nantahala National Forest. The North Carolina side includes the Upper Tellico Off-highway vehicle area. (recently severe restrictions have been placed on the off Road Vehicle area due to sedimentation in the river. )

After the river crosses into Tennessee, it is joined by its major tributaries the Bald and North Rivers.

The Tellico River basin was logged by the Babcock Lumber Company in the early 20th century. The present-day road up the Tellico River from Tellico Plains was built on the old Babcock logging railroad bed. After the Tellico River basin forests were cut, Babock sold the land to the United States Forest Service.

The Tellico River’s rocky descent provides class III-IV whitewater recreation. The runs are especially popular during the spring because of higher water levels. The narrow extreme rapids on the Tellico River are well suited for kayaks, canoes – C1’s and duckies, but not for larger rafts. There is continuous access to the river from the road, but these runs are popular:

Trout Hatchery to Bridge above the Bald River confluence, class II-III

The Ledges – from the Bridge above the Bald River confluence to bridge below Jared’s Knee, class III-IV

Bridge below Jared’s Knee to Ranger Station, class II-III

Ranger Station to Tellico Plains, class I-III

According to the USGS, variant names of the Tellico River include Delaquay River, Talequo River, Terrique River, and Tellequo River.

The word “Tellico” was the name of several Cherokee towns, the largest of which was Great Tellico, located on the Tellico River near present-day Tellico Plains, Tennessee. In Cherokee the word is more properly written “Talikwa”. According to James Mooney, the Cherokee meaning of the word was lost.

The origin of the word is actually Muskogee (Creek.) A Muskogean town named Taliko was thriving on the Tellico River when Spanish explorers visited in area in the mid-16th century. Taliko means “bean” in Muskogee.

Above description Courtesy Wikipedia

The Tellico River and it’s tributaries of Turkey Creek, North River and Bald River are very popular with trout anglers . A special trout hatchery is located up river to provide fish for Citico Creek as well. A special trout stamp is required to fish these waters . During certain times of the year the waters are closed to harvest in some sections and closed to all fishing on Fridays during stocking season. See Resource page for details.

The Tellico River valley has a relatively large number of campgrounds operated by the US Forest Service.

Think about showing your appreciation of the Tellico River by picking up some litter during your next visit.

Be part of the solution; litter attracts yet more trash, kills wildlife, makes it look like no one cares about the watershed and it hurts the local economy/tourism.

Buy your food, tackle and supplies locally when possible.

Respect the local people, in many ways you are their guest.