Editing Potomac River (section)

===South Branch Potomac River===
{{Main|South Branch Potomac River}}
The South Branch's source is northwest of Hightown along [[U.S. Route 250]] on the eastern side of Lantz Mountain (3,934&nbsp;ft) in Highland County, Virginia. From Hightown, the South Branch is a small meandering [[stream]] that flows northeast along Blue Grass Valley Road through the communities of [[New Hampden, Virginia|New Hampden]] and [[Blue Grass, Virginia|Blue Grass]]. At [[Forks of Waters, Virginia|Forks of Waters]], the South Branch joins with Strait Creek and flows north across the Virginia/West Virginia border into [[Pendleton County, West Virginia|Pendleton County]].

The river then travels on a northeastern course along the western side of Jack Mountain (4,045&nbsp;ft), followed by Sandy Ridge (2,297&nbsp;ft) along [[U.S. Route 220]]. North of the confluence of the South Branch with Smith Creek, the river flows along Town Mountain (2,848&nbsp;ft) around [[Franklin, West Virginia|Franklin]] at the junction of U.S. Route 220 and [[U.S. Route 33]]. After Franklin, the South Branch continues north through the [[Monongahela National Forest]] to [[Upper Tract, West Virginia|Upper Tract]] where it joins with three sizeable streams: Reeds Creek, Mill Run, and Deer Run.

Between Big Mountain (2,582&nbsp;ft) and Cave Mountain (2,821&nbsp;ft), the South Branch bends around the Eagle Rock (1,483&nbsp;ft) outcrop and continues its flow northward into [[Grant County, West Virginia|Grant County]]. Into Grant, the South Branch follows the western side of Cave Mountain through the {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} long [[Smoke Hole Canyon]], until its confluence with the [[North Fork South Branch Potomac River|North Fork]] at [[Cabins, West Virginia|Cabins]], where it flows east to [[Petersburg, West Virginia|Petersburg]]. At Petersburg, the [[South Branch Valley Railroad]] begins, which parallels the river until its mouth at [[Green Spring, West Virginia|Green Spring]].

[[File:Hanging Rocks Wappocomo WV 1890s.jpg|thumb|right|Canoeists at [[Hanging Rocks]] on the South Branch in the 1890s]]
In its eastern course from Petersburg into [[Hardy County, West Virginia|Hardy County]], the South Branch becomes more navigable allowing for [[canoes]] and smaller river vessels. The river splits and forms a series of large islands while it heads northeast to [[Moorefield, West Virginia|Moorefield]]. At Moorefield, the South Branch is joined by the [[South Fork South Branch Potomac River]] and runs north to [[Old Fields, West Virginia|Old Fields]] where it is fed by Anderson Run and Stony Run.

At [[McNeill, West Virginia|McNeill]], the South Branch flows into [[the Trough]] where it is bound to its west by [[Mill Creek Mountain]] (2,119&nbsp;ft) and to its east by Sawmill Ridge (1,644&nbsp;ft). This area is the habitat to [[bald eagles]]. The Trough passes into [[Hampshire County, West Virginia|Hampshire County]] and ends at its confluence with Sawmill Run south of [[Glebe, West Virginia|Glebe]] and [[Sector, West Virginia|Sector]].

The South Branch continues north parallel to [[South Branch River Road]] ([[county road|County Route]] 8) toward [[Romney, West Virginia|Romney]] with a number of historic plantation farms adjoining it. En route to Romney, the river is fed by Buffalo Run, [[Mill Run (South Branch Potomac River)|Mill Run]], McDowell Run, and [[Mill Creek (South Branch Potomac River)|Mill Creek]] at [[Vanderlip, West Virginia|Vanderlip]]. The South Branch is traversed by the [[Northwestern Turnpike]] ([[U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia|U.S. Route 50]]) and joined by Sulphur Spring Run where it forms [[Valley View Island]] to the west of town.

Flowing north of Romney, the river still follows the eastern side of Mill Creek Mountain until it creates a horseshoe bend at [[Wappocomo, West Virginia|Wappocomo]]'s [[Hanging Rocks]] around the George W. Washington plantation, [[Washington Bottom Farm|Ridgedale]]. To the west of [[Three Churches, West Virginia|Three Churches]] on the western side of [[South Branch Mountain]], {{convert|3,028|ft|m}}, the South Branch creates a series of bends and flows to the northeast by [[Springfield, West Virginia|Springfield]] through Blue's Ford. After two additional horseshoe bends (meanders), the South Branch flows under the old [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]] mainline between [[Green Spring, West Virginia|Green Spring]] and [[South Branch Depot, West Virginia|South Branch Depot]], and joins the North Branch to form the Potomac.