The Upper Clinch Watershed (HUC 06010205) covers approximately 1,203 square miles in southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee. The watershed is characterized by rolling hills and forests, with the Clinch River serving as the main stream. Hydrologically, the watershed is influenced by precipitation, as well as snowmelt from the Appalachian Mountains, which can cause flooding during the winter and spring. Snowpack in the area varies from year to year, but can reach depths of up to 12 inches. Surface water quality in the Clinch River is impaired by high levels of nutrients, sediment, and bacteria. A major concern is the presence of coal mining and related activities, which have contributed to the presence of heavy metals and other pollutants in the watershed. Climate trends in the area include increasing temperatures, more intense precipitation events, and longer growing seasons.