| Rockcastle River | |
|---|---|
 Akayak on the Rockcastle River | |
  Location of the mouth of the Rockcastle River in Kentucky | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Jackson County line |
| • location | kentucky |
| • coordinates | 37°20′10″N84°7′8″W / 37.33611°N 84.11889°W /37.33611; -84.11889[1] |
| Mouth | Cumberland River |
• location | kentucky |
• coordinates | 36°57′36″N84°21′25″W / 36.96000°N 84.35694°W /36.96000; -84.35694[1] |
• elevation | 888 ft (271 m)[1] |
| Length | 55 mi (89 km) |
| Basin size | 4,100 sq mi (11,000 km2) |
TheRockcastle River is a 54.8-mile-long (88.2 km)[2]river primarily inRockcastle County, Kentucky,United States. It is a tributary of theCumberland River and therefore, via theOhio River, part of theMississippi River watershed.
In 1750 it was discovered by Dr.Thomas Walker and his exploring party, known as theLoyal Company. In his journal he named it theLawless River, describing it as very steep and rocky.[3] It was soon renamed by hunterIsaac Lindsey who foundedRockcastle County in 1767. Lindsey named the river after the castle-like rock formations.[4]
The elevation is 888 ft. with the geolocation at (37.171, -84.296).[5] The river has two forks, the Middle Fork, which forms in southernJackson County, and the South Fork, which forms inClay County. They meet at the Jackson County line and flow south, forming the southeast border of Rockcastle County. It makes up the border betweenPulaski andLaurel counties before flowing into theCumberland River. Due to the river carving into theCumberland Plateau, manylimestone andsandstone caves are formed.[6]
The river is used for recreational activities such askayaking for sport through the rapid waters, and fishing for the many fish species.
The river has an important nativewalleye population that has stabilized in recent years.[7] The waters also contain over 65 fish species includingrock bass,small mouth bass, with a variety ofbluegill and other pan fish. Over 38mussel species and 10crayfish species are also found in the waters of the river. The small cave systems formed in the limestone provides a home for severalbat species,amphibians, andreptiles.Black bears are known to swim the waters and navigate the rocky banks.[8] The gravel terrain provides life for many rare species of plants such as theEurybia saxicastelli. The Rockcastle Conservation Initiative formed in 2010 works to protect the diversity of this important habitat.[9]
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