Bald River - Definition

The Bald River is a short river located in Monroe County, Tennessee in the Cherokee National Forest. It is a tributary to the Tellico River. Just before its mouth into the Tellico, it falls over a large waterfall, Bald River Falls, which is variously reported as being between 80 and 100 feet (25 and 30 m) high. It then flows under a bridge on Forest Service Road 120, the falls and the river mouth both being very readily visible from the bridge. The falls is generally regarded as being the most impressive and scenic one in East Tennessee. The river is short in length but powerful as it flows through a steep, densely wooded valley and it constantly replenished by the area's frequent rains. It rises just north of the North Carolina state line and begins by flowing northeast for a short distance before turning to flow basically northwest.