2020 Map of Doran Cove

About this map

Russell Cave National Monument anchors the upper reaches of the Doran Cove valley, where the steep escarpments of the Cumberland Plateau meet the alluvial plains of the Tennessee River basin. The landscape is defined by its karst topography, with numerous natural springs and caves including Wynne Cave Spring, Cloud Spring, and the prominent Russell Point. This 2020 survey reveals a high density of ancestral burial grounds, such as the Ridley Family Cem and Dorans Cove Cem, which suggest deep-rooted family ties to the land in the areas surrounding Montague and Edgefield. To the south, the terrain transitions into the transportation corridors of the John T Reid Pkwy, connecting the historic town centers of Bridgeport and Stevenson near the northern reaches of Guntersville Lake. The map details the complex drainage patterns of Widows Creek and Crow Creek, which have historically dictated the placement of roads and settlements throughout the county.