 This area is located in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of the Great Appalachian Valley, with a series of paralleling ridges running approximately north-northeast with valleys in between.The Hiwassee forms the northern boundary of Bradley County, and the Chatata area contains some of the lowest elevations in the county.Chatata Valley and portions of the surrounding valleys reportedly contain some of the most fertile soils in the region, which were originally cultivated by the Cherokee.