Geography Henderson County, North Carolina

1 geography

1.1 landscape , climate
1.2 agriculture
1.3 adjacent counties
1.4 national protected areas
1.5 major highways

geography

henderson county elevation

henderson county located in blue ridge mountains of southwestern north carolina, on border south carolina. eastern continental divide, lies along crest of blue ridge, passes through county. northwestern slope of divide known blue ridge plateau , southeastern slope blue ridge escarpment. these 2 physiographic features have unique characteristics account wide variations in county’s climate. according u.s. census bureau, county has total area of 375 square miles (970 km2), of 373 square miles (970 km2) land , 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) water.[5] county s largest body of water lake summit, reservoir impounded duke power company hydroelectric generation. county s major streams french broad river (whose conjunction holston river forms tennessee river, flowing gulf of mexico), mills river, green river, little river, mud creek, clear creek, cane creek, hungry river, , headwaters of broad river (which flows congaree river of south carolina , atlantic ocean). lowest point in county found along broad river @ approximately 1,394’ feet @ boundary between henderson , rutherford counties in north carolina. high point located on little pisgah mountain @ approximately 5,278 feet along henderson-haywood county boundary in north carolina (note second little pisgah mpuntain @ 4412’ located @ boundary between henderson , buncombe counties in north carolina). according u.s. census bureau, county has total area of 375 square miles (970 km), of 373 square miles (970 km) land , 2.2 square miles (5.7 km) (0.6%) water. county s largest body of water lake summit, reservoir impounded duke power company hydroelectric generation.

landscape , climate

due geographic setting along eastern continental divide , extreme topographic variation, henderson county presents wide variation in temperature , precipitation conditions. highest elevations occur along northwest , northern boundaries of county , within blue ridge escarpment, rugged area of peaks , narrow valleys rise piedmont continental divide , blue ridge plateau. lowest elevations occur within valleys of escarpment , in broader valleys of blue ridge plateau. mean annual temperature of county 55.1°f, range 50.3 57.9°f depending on elevation, higher temperatures occurring @ lower elevations , lower temperatures in higher mountains. month of july hottest in county, mean temperature of 72.6°f , mean range of 66.6 75.8°f. coolest month january mean temperature of 36.9°f , mean range of 33.3 39.5°f. precipitation correlated elevation, higher precipitation occurring @ higher elevations , lower precipitation in valleys. mean annual precipitation of henderson county 56.2 inches, mean range of 45.04 78.03 inches. march has highest mean precipitation of 5.1 inches, mean range of 3.9 6.7 inches. lowest precipitation occurs in october, mean value of 3.9 inches , mean range of 2.8 5.8 inches.

agriculture

henderson county s topographic , climatic diversity make ideal great variety of commercial crops , agricultural products. parts of county between pisgah national forest on northwest , boundary polk county on southeast referred locally crest of blue ridge agricultural area in recognition of region s unique growing conditions. exception of tropical fruits , vegetables, local farmers , other agricultural professionals tell commercial crop grow in henderson county. @ present time fruit , berry types being raised include apples, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, grapes, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries , watermelons.

a special word should said henderson county s apple production. since world war ii, apples have been important agricultural crop in county; require extensive winter chilling, , not tolerate summer heat , humidity well, henderson county, cooler climate due elevation represents ideal environment orchards. henderson county represents, in fact, southern limit large-scale commercial apple production in eastern united states. tradition of honoring local apple industry persists in county s annual north carolina apple festival, held each year around labor day, , culminating in king apple parade attended tens of thousands of spectators.

in addition fruits , berries number of commercial vegetable crops raised in henderson county, including asparagus, green beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, corn, cucumbers, egg plants, greens, herbs, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, peppers (bell , hot), potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, spinach, squash (winter , summer varieties), tomatoes, turnips, , zucchini. meat, eggs, , dairy products important, beef, fish, goat meat, mountain trout, pork, poultry, sweet , hard cider, wine , cheese being produced in commercial quantities.

adjacent counties

buncombe county - north
rutherford county - northeast
polk county - east
greenville county, south carolina - south
transylvania county - west
haywood county - northwest

national protected areas

blue ridge parkway (part)
carl sandburg home national historic site
pisgah national forest (part)

major highways