Creelsboro Natural Bridge
Encyclopedia
Creelsboro Natural Bridge (more commonly referred to as Rock House or the Rockhouse) is a natural bridge
in southwestern Russell County, Kentucky
, USA
(36°53'5.97"N 85°14'11.13"W). It is located near the community of Creelsboro, approximately seven miles downstream from Wolf Creek Dam
, which impounds Lake Cumberland
. The Rockhouse is classified as a meander natural bridge because it was created by river erosion of a cliff on the outer side of a sharp meander in the river. Jim Creek flows through it before merging into the Cumberland River
. With a span of 104 feet, it is the seventh largest natural bridge in the USA.
, Cumberland Formation, Silty Dolomite
). Unlike most natural bridges it is made of dolostone
rather than sandstone
. First discovered in 1770 by a group of hunters
, Rockhouse is a popular site for camping
. It was designated a national landmark
by the U.S.
National Park Service
in 1987. It remains privately owned but is accessible by a short walk from KY 379. Immediately across the river in Clinton County is the private Rockhouse Trace subdivision and its boat launching ramp, accessible via Wells Bottom Road.
Natural arch
A natural arch or natural bridge is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath. Most natural arches form as a narrow ridge, walled by cliffs, become narrower from erosion, with a softer rock stratum under the cliff-forming stratum gradually eroding out until...
in southwestern Russell County, Kentucky
Russell County, Kentucky
Russell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 17,565 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Jamestown. The county is named for William Russell...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(36°53'5.97"N 85°14'11.13"W). It is located near the community of Creelsboro, approximately seven miles downstream from Wolf Creek Dam
Wolf Creek Dam
The Wolf Creek Dam is a multi-purpose dam on the Cumberland River in the western part of Russell County, Kentucky, United States. The dam serves at once four distinct purposes: it generates hydroelectricity; it regulates and limits flooding; it releases stored water to permit year-round navigation...
, which impounds Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland is a reservoir in Clinton, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne counties in Kentucky. The primary reasons for its construction were a means for flood control and the production of hydroelectric power. Its shoreline measures 1,255 miles and the lake is spread over at the...
. The Rockhouse is classified as a meander natural bridge because it was created by river erosion of a cliff on the outer side of a sharp meander in the river. Jim Creek flows through it before merging into the Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
. With a span of 104 feet, it is the seventh largest natural bridge in the USA.
History
Rockhouse strata is over 440 million years old (Upper Ordovician PeriodOrdovician
The Ordovician is a geologic period and system, the second of six of the Paleozoic Era, and covers the time between 488.3±1.7 to 443.7±1.5 million years ago . It follows the Cambrian Period and is followed by the Silurian Period...
, Cumberland Formation, Silty Dolomite
Dolostone
Dolostone or dolomite rock is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. In old U.S.G.S. publications it was referred to as magnesian limestone. Most dolostone formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud prior to lithification. It is...
). Unlike most natural bridges it is made of dolostone
Dolostone
Dolostone or dolomite rock is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. In old U.S.G.S. publications it was referred to as magnesian limestone. Most dolostone formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud prior to lithification. It is...
rather than sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
. First discovered in 1770 by a group of hunters
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, Rockhouse is a popular site for camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
. It was designated a national landmark
National landmark
A National landmark is a site identified by a national authority as one possessing nationally–significant natural, historic, or scientific resources...
by the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
in 1987. It remains privately owned but is accessible by a short walk from KY 379. Immediately across the river in Clinton County is the private Rockhouse Trace subdivision and its boat launching ramp, accessible via Wells Bottom Road.
See also
- Natural archNatural archA natural arch or natural bridge is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath. Most natural arches form as a narrow ridge, walled by cliffs, become narrower from erosion, with a softer rock stratum under the cliff-forming stratum gradually eroding out until...
- Rock shelterRock shelterA rock shelter is a shallow cave-like opening at the base of a bluff or cliff....