Swannanoa River

The Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of western North Carolina, and is a major tributary to the French Broad River. It begins at its headwaters 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 when it meets the French Broad at Biltmore Estate in Asheville. 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, massive 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.

Swannanoa River Tributary to French Broad River
Swannanoa River at Asheville, North Carolina
Location of Swannanoa River mouth Show map of North Carolina Swannanoa River (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Buncombe
City	Black Mountain Swannanoa Asheville
Physical characteristics
Source	divide between Swannanoa River and Catawba River
• location	about 0.25 miles south of Swannanoa Gap
• coordinates	35°37′11″N 082°17′40″W[1]
• elevation	2,790 ft (850 m)[2]
Mouth	French Broad River
• location	Asheville, North Carolina
• coordinates	35°34′05″N 082°33′49″W[1]
• elevation	1,968 ft (600 m)[2]
Length	24.83 mi (39.96 km)[3]
Basin size	132.77 square miles (343.9 km2)[4]
Discharge
• location	French Broad River
• average	166.88 cu ft/s (4.726 m3/s) at mouth with French Broad River[4]
Basin features
Progression	west
River system	French Broad River
Tributaries
• left	Camp Branch Wolfpit Branch Stepp Branch Gashes Creek Christian Branch Sweeten Creek Ram Branch
• right	Flat Creek Tomahawk Branch North Fork Swannanoa River Beetree Creek Bull Creek Grassy Branch Haw Creek Ross Creek
Bridges	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 (US 70), E Azalea Road, I-240, S Tunnel Road, Biltmore Avenue, Biltmore Estate Road