Its headwaters are in Cades Cove, and it is a tributary of the Little Tennessee River.

[6][7] It is named after the Chilhowee Cherokee chief Old Abraham ("Abram").

[8] The creek was deliberately poisoned in 1957 to kill fish in potential competition with rainbow trout; many fish species were extirpated from the river and have never recovered.

[6][9] According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as:[1] Abrams Creek begins at the confluence of Anthony Creek and Left Prong Anthony Creek west of Cold Water Knob, in Blount County, Tennessee and then flows generally west to join the Little Tennessee River in Chilhowee Lake approximately five miles north of Calderwood.

[3] Abrams Creek drains 87.14 square miles (225.7 km2) of area, receives about 62.7 in/year of precipitation, has a wetness index of 254.58, and is about 94% forested.