Lifeblood of the Mountains
More precipitation falls in the Great Smoky Mountains than anywhere else in the eastern United States. The yearly average is about 890 billion gallons - over 60 inches. Forty-four percent of it is absorbed by the atmosphere and the luxuriant blanket of trees and plants. The remaining fifty-six percent runs underground and into streams.
The 730 miles of park streams are remarkably pure and full of life. Brook trout and other fishes are native to headwaters streams. Park waters are also home for many kinds of insects, salamanders, and other living things.
Marker is on Walker Camp Prong (U.S. 441).
Courtesy hmdb.org
