ML12335A351
| ML12335A351 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Watts Bar  |
| Issue date: | 10/29/2012 |
| From: | Duncan J State of TN, Dept of Environment & Conservation |
| To: | Plant Licensing Branch II |
| Poole, Justin | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML12335A358 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML12335A351 (3) | |
Text
The Official State of Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation, State Parks Website Navigation Department Department of of Environment Environment & & Conservation Conservation Robert Robert Martineau, Martineau, Commissioner Commissioner Division of Natural Areas PINEY FALLS CLASS II NATURAL- Contact Division of Natural Areas SCIENTIFIC STATE NATURAL AREA 7th floor, L&C Annex, 401 Church Street Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 532-0431 Piney Falls is a 440-acre natural area located in Rhea County where Little DNA Contact List Piney and Soak Creeks have carved deep gorges into the Cumberland Plateau. It is a pristine forestland featuring creeks, deep gorges, waterfalls and old growth forest. Piney Falls is also recognized by the United States Department Division Resources of Interior as a National Natural Landmark. It is one of only fourteen National Natural Landmarks in Tennessee. These landmarks are recognized as the countrys best Data and Forms remaining examples of major biotic communities and geologic features. Ginseng Licensing Program Natural Areas Map Piney Falls is especially significant because of its old growth forest. The tallest and Natural Areas Program most magnificent trees are the white pines that are found in the mixed mesophytic Natural Heritage Inventory forest that occur on lower slopes in the gorge below Lower Piney Falls. These trees are Program nearly 40 inches in diameter and exceed 100 feet in height. The mixed mesophytic Permits forest below the Upper Falls is not nearly as spectacular, as it lacks the giant white Public Participation Opportunities pines found in the gorge below Lower Piney Falls. However, large tulip popular, Scenic Rivers Program hemlock, buckeye, and basswood do grow below Upper Piney Falls. The upland rim Schedule of Events above the falls is comprised of a typical plateau oak-pine forest.
Helpful Resources Little Piney Creek drains the majority of the area plunging some 80 feet over the picturesque Upper Piney Falls into the pool APSU Atlas of Amphibians below, and then eventually drops another 40 feet over Lower Nature Serve Explorer Piney Falls. At Upper Piney Falls, a concave ledge circles behind Tennessee State Parks and around the falls where visitors can follow a trail for an awe- University of Tennessee inspiring view of the gorge below. Lower Piney Falls, which is Herbarium smaller in stature, and not accessible by trail, plunges into a USGS Wildlife Research Center much narrower gorge. From here, the Little Piney Creek continues, and joins with Soak Creek before emptying into the Piney River.
Spring visitors to the area will see an abundance of wildflowers that include the state listed dwarf milkwort, bloodroot, hepatica, crested iris, yellow wake robin, perfoliate bellwort, and spotted geranium. The old growth forest structure, diversity in species composition, and picturesque waterfalls provides both scenic value and ecological significance.
Great Smoky Mountains SITE MANAGEMENT: Cades Cove, TN Cumberland Mountain State Park, 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tennessee 38555, phone (931) 484-http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/piney/[10/29/2012 6:49:17 AM]
The Official State of Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation, State Parks Website 6138; Division of Natural Areas, 401 Church Street, 7th Floor L&C Annex, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, phone (615) 532-0431; Division of Natural Areas - East TN office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921, phone (865) 594-5601.
PUBLIC ACCESS:
Public is access allowed; parking and hiking trails are provided. Access is for foot traffic only. Vehicles and camping are not allowed.
DIRECTIONS:
From Spring City take State Route 68 north toward Crossville, or from Crossville travel south on S.R. 68. As you get to the crest of the Cumberland escarpment, you enter the unincorporated town of Grandview. Look for a sign for Piney Falls State Natural Area and turn onto the Fire Tower Road (a.k.a., Hillary Road). The trailhead is on the right approximately one mile from Highway 68 or one-fourth mile before you get to the fire tower, which is located at the end of the road.
COUNTY: Rhea ACREAGE: 440 7.5' QUADRANGLE: Spring City, Pennine OWNERSHIP: State of Tennessee PHYSIOGRAPHIC Cumberland Plateau YEAR DESIGNATED: 1973 PROVINCE:
Map to Piney Falls DESCRIPTION: Printer friendly version - pdf About Us Assistance Permitting Parks & Conservation Publications Air Quality Land Resources Water Quality Historical Commission Newsroom Sitemap Contact Us Follow Us On Featured Sites Fleming Training Center Outreach Initiatives Tennessee State Parks TVA Kingston Update TN Environmental Conference Agency Services Radon Program http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/piney/[10/29/2012 6:49:17 AM]
The Official State of Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation, State Parks Website Revolving Loan Fund Solid Waste Assistance TN.gov Services Renew Driver License Renew Health License Renew Professional Non-health License Reserve at State Parks More TN.gov Services TN.gov Directory Web Policies Accessibility Web Awards Survey Open Government Department of Environment & Conservation 401 Church Street L&C Tower Nashville, TN 37243 (888) 891-TDEC (8332) ask.tdec@tn.gov http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/piney/[10/29/2012 6:49:17 AM]