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Eastern Continental Divide

Not to be confused with Eastern Continental Trail.
For a list of subwatersheds on the east of the ECD, see Atlantic Seaboard.
File:NorthAmerica-WaterDivides.png
A map of the principal hydrological divides of North America. The Eastern Continental Divide (orange line) demarcates two watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean: the Gulf of Mexico watershed and the Atlantic Seaboard watershed.

The Eastern Continental Divide, in conjunction with other continental divides of North America, demarcates two watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean: the Gulf of Mexico watershed and the Atlantic Seaboard watershed. Prior to 1760, the divide represented the boundary between British and French colonial possessions in North America. The ECD runs south-southwest from the Eastern Triple Divide in Pennsylvania to the watershed of the Kissimmee River, which drains via the Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The geography for the 1763 demarcation line separating the Thirteen Colonies from lands west of it, and westwards to the Mississippi River generally runs along, or close to the Eastern Continental Divide's line going from the southern Georgia border northwards to the existing Pennsylvania/New York State border, and from there northeastwards along the St. Lawrence Divide into New England.

Because the divide represents the highest terrain, air is forced upwards regardless of wind direction. This process of orographic enhancement leads to higher precipitation than surrounding areas. In winter, the divide is often much snowier than surrounding areas due to orographic enhancement and cooler temperatures with elevation. Some locations in North Carolina average up to 100 inches of snow a year and up to 175" a year falls in optimal parts of West Virginia.

File:Dolly-Sods-Red-Creek.jpg
Red Creek west of the crest of the Allegheny Front in the Dolly Sods area of West Virginia; the creek originates along the Eastern Continental Divide, with its waters flowing to the Gulf of Mexico as part of the Ohio River watershed.
File:Seneca Creek - Mouth.jpg
Seneca Creek, incised into the Allegheny Front west of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia. This short but steep creek originates along the Eastern Continental Divide; its waters flow into the Atlantic Ocean via the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
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ECD points
Area Point Summit or other feature
Pennsylvania: Eastern Triple Divide Script error: No such module "convert".
41°50′48″N 77°50′14″W / 41.84667°N 77.83722°W / 41.84667; -77.83722{{#coordinates:41|50|48|N|77|50|14|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

triple watershed point: watersheds of the Atlantic Seaboard, Gulf of Mexico, & Gulf of Saint Lawrence at the respective headwaters of Pine Creek (West Branch Susquehanna River), the Allegheny River, and the Genesee River.
Pennsylvania: Babcock Ridge
Pennsylvania: List of tunnels in Pennsylvania Script error: No such module "convert".
40°28′53″N 78°33′01″W / 40.48139°N 78.55028°W / 40.48139; -78.55028{{#coordinates:40|28|53|N|78|33|01|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

summit near Allegheny/Gallitzin Tunnels
Pennsylvania: Allegheny Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
39°57′41″N 78°51′24″W / 39.96139°N 78.85667°W / 39.96139; -78.85667{{#coordinates:39|57|41|N|78|51|24|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

summit above Allegheny Mountain Tunnel (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
Pennsylvania: Allegheny Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
39°48′37″N 78°57′38″W / 39.81028°N 78.96056°W / 39.81028; -78.96056{{#coordinates:39|48|37|N|78|57|38|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

summit above Sand Patch Tunnel
Pennsylvania: Savage Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".[1]39°45′12″N 78°54′58″W / 39.75333°N 78.91611°W / 39.75333; -78.91611{{#coordinates:39|45|12|N|78|54|58|W|region:US_type:landmark name=

}}

railroad cut on Great Allegheny Passage
Pennsylvania/Maryland: Savage Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
39°43′21″N 78°54′51″W / 39.72250°N 78.91417°W / 39.72250; -78.91417{{#coordinates:39|43|21|N|78|54|51|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

highest summit of the Mason–Dixon Line
Maryland: Interstate 68 Script error: No such module "convert".
39°40′58″N 79°02′16″W / 39.6828°N 79.037704°W / 39.6828; -79.037704{{#coordinates:39.6828|N|79.037704|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing near Green Lantern Road
Maryland: Savage Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
39°30′27″N 79°13′9″W / 39.50750°N 79.21917°W / 39.50750; -79.21917{{#coordinates:39|30|27|N|79|13|9|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

saddle point at planned route of 1828 C&O Canal
Maryland: Backbone Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
39°14′15″N 79°29′8″W / 39.23750°N 79.48556°W / 39.23750; -79.48556{{#coordinates:39|14|15|N|79|29|8|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

highest Backbone summit on ECD (near MD/WV border)
West Virginia: Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia [specify] Midland Trail: planned crossing for the 19th century James River and Kanawha Turnpike
West Virginia: US Route 33 North / State Route 55W Script error: No such module "convert".
38°53′31″N 79°28′04″W / 38.892050°N 79.467781°W / 38.892050; -79.467781{{#coordinates:38.892050|N|79.467781|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

Saddle Point at Pendleton County and Randolph County.
West Virginia/Virginia: Interstate 64 Script error: No such module "convert".
37°47′15″N 80°13′28″W / 37.787539°N 80.224528°W / 37.787539; -80.224528{{#coordinates:37.787539|N|80.224528|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
Virginia: Jefferson National Forest Script error: No such module "convert".
37°20′27″N 80°32′4″W / 37.34083°N 80.53444°W / 37.34083; -80.53444{{#coordinates:37|20|27|N|80|32|4|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

saddle point at Johns Creek headwaters (James River tributary), and near triple point of Mississippi River (W) & Chesapeake Bay (NE)/Albemarle Sound (Roanoke River) (SE)
Virginia: Appalachian Trail Script error: No such module "convert".
37°22′50″N 80°18′23″W / 37.380422°N 80.306368°W / 37.380422; -80.306368{{#coordinates:37.380422|N|80.306368|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

Parallel Route Begin
Virginia: Appalachian Trail Script error: No such module "convert".
37°20′37″N 80°21′53″W / 37.343516°N 80.364647°W / 37.343516; -80.364647{{#coordinates:37.343516|N|80.364647|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

Parallel Route Begin
Virginia: Interstate 81 Script error: No such module "convert".
37°07′43″N 80°22′17″W / 37.128708°N 80.371299°W / 37.128708; -80.371299{{#coordinates:37.128708|N|80.371299|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
Virginia: Christiansburg, VA Script error: No such module "convert".
37°05′41″N 80°26′44″W / 37.094853°N 80.445558°W / 37.094853; -80.445558{{#coordinates:37.094853|N|80.445558|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

2940 Riner Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Virginia: Interstate 77 Script error: No such module "convert".
36°39′03″N 80°42′20″W / 36.650896°N 80.705609°W / 36.650896; -80.705609{{#coordinates:36.650896|N|80.705609|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
North Carolina: Thurmond Chatham Wildlife Management Area 36°22′38″N 81°13′15″W / 36.377344°N 81.220722°W / 36.377344; -81.220722{{#coordinates:36.377344|N|81.220722|W|region:US_type:landmark name=

}}

triple point of New River and Yadkin/West Prong Roaring rivers
North Carolina: Interstate 40 Script error: No such module "convert".
35°37′06″N 82°15′47″W / 35.618233°N 82.263007°W / 35.618233; -82.263007{{#coordinates:35.618233|N|82.263007|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
North Carolina: Interstate 26 Script error: No such module "convert".
35°17′24″N 82°24′07″W / 35.290048°N 82.40193°W / 35.290048; -82.40193{{#coordinates:35.290048|N|82.40193|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
North Carolina: U.S. Route 276 Script error: No such module "convert".
35°07′47″N 82°38′21″W / 35.129807°N 82.63921°W / 35.129807; -82.63921{{#coordinates:35.129807|N|82.63921|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
North Carolina: U.S. Route 178 Script error: No such module "convert".
35°05′46″N 82°48′34″W / 35.096133°N 82.80940°W / 35.096133; -82.80940{{#coordinates:35.096133|N|82.80940|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing, approx. 1 mile north of NC/SC border
North Carolina: NC 226 and Blue Ridge Parkway Script error: No such module "convert".
35°51′10″N 82°03′03″W / 35.85266°N 82.0507166°W / 35.85266; -82.0507166{{#coordinates:35.85266|N|82.0507166|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

North Carolina/South Carolina: French Broad watershed [specify] tributary of the Tennessee River along NC/SC border dividing mountain ridges running southeast meets Santee watershed flowing into Atlantic
North Carolina/South Carolina: Sassafras Mountain Script error: No such module "convert".
35°03′53″N 82°46′38″W / 35.06472°N 82.77722°W / 35.06472; -82.77722{{#coordinates: 35|03|53|N|82|46|38|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

located along the South Carolina-North Carolina border in northern Pickens County, South Carolina and southern Transylvania County, North Carolina nearest to the town of Rosman, North Carolina
North Carolina/South Carolina: Savannah watershed [specify] across the border of Pickens County, South Carolina & Greenville County, South Carolina up into Transylvania County, North Carolina, Jackson County, North Carolina, and Macon County, North Carolina to dividing mountain ridges to Tennessee River tributaries
North Carolina: Highlands, North Carolina Script error: No such module "convert".
35°3′15″N 83°12′8″W / 35.05417°N 83.20222°W / 35.05417; -83.20222{{#coordinates:35|3|15|N|83|12|8|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

North Carolina: Cowee Gap Script error: No such module "convert".
35°05′27″N 83°08′52″W / 35.09083°N 83.14778°W / 35.09083; -83.14778{{#coordinates:35|05|27|N|83|08|52|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

divides Tennessee (Cullasaja) and Savannah (Chatooga) rivers
Georgia: Black Rock Mountain State Park Script error: No such module "convert".
34°54′53″N 83°20′38″W / 34.91472°N 83.34389°W / 34.91472; -83.34389{{#coordinates:34.91472|N|83.34389|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}[1]

a Blue Ridge summit
Georgia: ACF River Basin at Young Lick Script error: No such module "convert".
34°49′22″N 83°39′09″W / 34.82278°N 83.65250°W / 34.82278; -83.65250{{#coordinates:34|49|22|N|83|39|09|W|type:landmark_region:US 		name=

}}

triple point at intersection of 3 GA counties: Hiwassee (Towns Co)/Chattahoochee River (Habersham Co) on the west & on the east: Savannah River (Rabun Co)
Georgia: Altamaha watershed [specify] triple point along border of Hall & Banks (GA) counties: Chattahoochee River-Banks (west) & Altamaha River-Hall/Savannah River-Banks (east)
Georgia: Suwanee watershed [specify] triple point: Chattahoochee River/Suwanee (west) & Altamaha River (east)
Georgia: Interstate 85 Script error: No such module "convert".
34°04′31″N 83°55′04″W / 34.075235°N 83.917737°W / 34.075235; -83.917737{{#coordinates:34.075235|N|83.917737|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (1 of 5)
Georgia: Interstate 85 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°59′53″N 84°04′36″W / 33.998098°N 84.07661°W / 33.998098; -84.07661{{#coordinates:33.998098|N|84.07661|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (2 of 5)
Georgia: Norcross, Georgia through Norcross historic district
Georgia: Interstate 85 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°54′44″N 84°12′29″W / 33.912202°N 84.207973°W / 33.912202; -84.207973{{#coordinates:33.912202|N|84.207973|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (3 of 5)
Georgia: Interstate 285 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°48′11″N 84°15′00″W / 33.803115°N 84.250031°W / 33.803115; -84.250031{{#coordinates:33.803115|N|84.250031|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (1 of 2)
Georgia: Atlanta near Dekalb Av
Georgia: Interstate 75/85 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°45′08″N 84°22′46″W / 33.752354°N 84.37942°W / 33.752354; -84.37942{{#coordinates:33.752354|N|84.37942|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (1 of 4 crossings of I-75/4 of 5 crossings of I-85)
Georgia: Interstate 20 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°44′28″N 84°24′38″W / 33.741221°N 84.410663°W / 33.741221; -84.410663{{#coordinates:33.741221|N|84.410663|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing
Georgia: Interstate 85 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°39′42″N 84°25′39″W / 33.661782°N 84.4274°W / 33.661782; -84.4274{{#coordinates:33.661782|N|84.4274|W|region:US_type:landmark		 name=

}}

crossing (5 of 5)
Georgia: Interstate 75 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°39′19.60″N 84°23′42.52″W / 33.6554444°N 84.3951444°W / 33.6554444; -84.3951444{{#coordinates: 33|39|19.60|N|84|23|42.52|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

crossing (2 of 4)
Georgia: Interstate 285 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°37′51.56″N 84°23′34.40″W / 33.6309889°N 84.3928889°W / 33.6309889; -84.3928889{{#coordinates:33|37|51.56|N|84|23|34.40|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

crossing (2 of 2)
Georgia: Interstate 75 Script error: No such module "convert".
33°34′29.77″N 84°20′7.67″W / 33.5749361°N 84.3354639°W / 33.5749361; -84.3354639{{#coordinates:33|34|29.77|N|84|20|7.67|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

crossing (3 of 4)
Georgia: Fall line of the United States [specify] near Macon, Georgia, this intersection is a triple physiographic point of the Piedmont (to the north) and the Gulf & Atlantic coastal plains (southwest & southeast).
Georgia: Interstate 75 Script error: No such module "convert".
32°10′16.10″N 83°45′9.25″W / 32.1711389°N 83.7525694°W / 32.1711389; -83.7525694{{#coordinates:32|10|16.10|N|83|45|9.25|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

crossing (4 of 4)
Georgia: Satilla watershed [specify] triple point: Suwanee (west) & Altamaha River/Satilla River (east)
Georgia: St. Marys watershed [specify] triple point: Suwanee (west) & Satilla River/St. Marys River (east)
Florida: St. Johns watershed [specify] triple point: Suwanee (west) & St. Marys River/St. Johns River (east)
Florida: Interstate 10 Script error: No such module "convert".
30°15′14.64″N 82°23′57.84″W / 30.2540667°N 82.3994000°W / 30.2540667; -82.3994000{{#coordinates: 30|15|14.64|N| 82|23|57.84|W|region:US_type:landmark 		name=

}}

crossing
Florida: Florida Trail [specify] Central Florida crossing over the Florida crustal arch
Florida: Withlacoochee watershed [specify] triple point: Suwanee/Withlacoochee River (Florida) (west) & St. Johns River (east)
Florida: Miami watershed [specify] triple point: Withlacoochee (west) & St. Johns River/Miami River (east)
Florida: Kissimmee/Okeechobee watershed [specify] south point of ECD @ Withlacoochee & Miami/Kissimmee triple point (Kissimmee drains to both Gulf & Atlantic via Lake Okeechobee & Okeechobee Waterway)

References

  1. ↑ "Elevation Chart". The Great Allegheny Passage: The Cumberland and Pittsburgh Trail. Allegheny Trail Alliance. Retrieved 2009-11-09. [dead link] Maps: Eastern Continental Divide