Nashville, Tennessee is located in the southern part of the United States. Many people are familiar with the city’s famous sights and sounds, but they may not be aware of one geographical detail: the Mississippi River does not flow through Nashville. In fact, the mighty Mississippi is nearly 290 miles away from Nashville, winding its way south to New Orleans, Louisiana.
The nearby Cumberland River is heavily intertwined with the history of Nashville. This tributary of the Ohio River begins near McMinnville, Tennessee, and flows for 320 miles to its confluence in Meriwether Lewis Park just outside of Nashville. Then, the Cumberland, along with the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, converges and empties into the Mississippi.
From that base, the Tennessee and Ohio meander downstream for about 1,000 miles and part company near Paducah, Kentucky. From there, the Ohio continues another 180 miles to Cairo, Illinois, where it merges with the mighty Mississippi.
The Mississippi is one of the most famous and important river systems in North America, stretching over 2,300 miles from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. However, it doesn’t flow through every state in its path. Instead, it forms state lines as it winds its way south.
Despite the fact that Nashville and the greater Tennessee Valley are not directly in the course of the Mississippi, the Tennessee River is once again linked to the Mississippi further downstream. The Tennessee, the Ohio, and the Cumberland Rivers all converge in Meriweather Lewis Park and then mingle with the Mississippi moments later.
In fact, the proximity of the Tennessee River to the Mississippi helped Nashville during its past as a center for trade. The Cumberland River enabled merchants to use shallow-draft steamboats as well as barges for upstream movement on the Cumberland and resulting piggyback transportation onto the Mississippi River.
Mississippi River Influences Nashville to this Day
Though it might not be immediately evident, the Mississippi River continues to influence Nashville in many ways. First, it serves as a gateway to the sea. The navigable channels the river creates allow goods to travel downstream to the Gulf of Mexico, then out to the rest of the world. This helps to facilitate foreign trade and diplomatic engagement, which some experts say is even more important today in today’s global market.
In addition, the Mississippi River has a huge impact on shipping prices and availability. The lower costs associated with transportation on the river leads to cheaper goods for the scale of Nashville merchants. While this region never could have gotten packages to New Orleans within days without the river, now they can cheaply transport goods to other parts of the US simply by using it.
Finally, the Mississippi serves as a source of inspiration for many artists. The river has long been immortalized in literature, music, and film, and it remains an important symbol of what it means to live in the American South.
How the Mississippi River Impacts People in Tennessee
The Mississippi River system enjoys its fair share of importance and international influence, but it’s also a vital contributor to the economic and cultural health of people in the states along its length. The river has been a major source of hydropower, irrigation, and flood control for years in states along the river, including Tennessee. In fact, the federal government built dams along the Tennessee River to provide flood control in the 1930s.
The Mississippi River is also an important source of recreation and tourism. The riverbanks are a popular locale for camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities, which generates important revenue for local communities.
The river is also home to many different species of wildlife, including fish and birds. This helps to support several different industries, including the fishing and hunting industries, that rely on animals living in the river.
The river is also to thank for the rich, fertile soil that has enabled states—like Tennessee—to produce crops such as wheat, soybeans, and cotton. Without the river, the land would not be able to support such an abundance of vegetation and agricultural production.
History of the Mississippi River’s Relationship to Tennessee
The history of the Mississippi River’s relationship with Tennessee goes back centuries, before the state’s current borders were established. Evidence of early people living in the area dates back over 12,000 years, when nomadic hunters settled along the banks of the Mississippi River in what is now Tennessee. This eventually led to organized communities, with the first permanent settlements established in the area by native Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes.
In the mid-1500s, the first Europeans to visit the region began to explore its rivers. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto was the first to map the Mississippi River in 1539, and various French explorers and traders began to settle the area, eventually forming what became the state of Tennessee in 1796.
Throughout its history, the Mississippi River has been integral to the development and continued advancement of Tennessee, and despite the fact that it doesn’t flow directly through Nashville, its influence remains strong. The river system provides an essential link to the rest of the United States, access to international markets, and a vast array of recreational and cultural opportunities.
Having an Impact on the Health of the River
Living in close proximity to the Mississippi River affords Tennesseans with the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the health of this unique and important ecosystem. In order to do this, there are several initiatives in place to help conserve and protect the water quality of the river, such as the Clean Water Act, a federal law that regulates the release of pollutants into the waterways.
The state of Tennessee has also taken an active role in protecting the river. The Tennessee Clean Water Network works to increase awareness of water quality issues in the state and encourages responsible stewardship of the river. Tennessee has also implemented the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, which trains and enables citizens to collect data on the health of their local waterways.
The Mississippi River is an important part of the history, ecology and culture of the American South. While it may not flow directly through Nashville, the mighty river still impacts the greater Tennessee Valley in numerous ways.
Growing Interest in the Region’s Waterways
In recent years, there’s been an increasingly growing interest in the waterways surrounding Nashville, Tennessee. Many people are wise to the benefits of kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding, which has led to an increase in visitors taking part in these activities. This rise in popularity has seen more people discovering the Cumberland River—which is incredibly nearby—putting more time, effort, and money towards caring for the environment and its natural areas.
In addition to being a popular recreational activity, using watercraft to explore the waterways near Nashville can benefit the local economy. Visitors often buy into the lifestyle of spending time in nature and are typically willing to make purchases that support the area’s businesses, like restaurants and accommodation.
Water-based tourism can also help the local populace increase their appreciation and respect for the environment. Seeing the beauty of area’s waterways helps to create an understanding of the importance of the river and its ecological importance for the region. It can lead to increased volunteering and support for conservation efforts.
The nearby waterways have a lot to offer, from activities for the whole family to providing a source of inspiration for writers and artists. Furthermore, it’s a great way to get in touch with the local community and learn more about the history of the area. A kayak or canoe outing can be a great way to explore and appreciate the Mississippi River without having to make the long journey to its banks.
How Nashville Residents Can Get Involved with the Mississippi River
Though the Mississippi River flows over two thousand miles away from Nashville, some residents are passionate about protecting it. Residents can get involved by joining local activist and conservation groups such as the Tennessee Clean Water Network, or TN Rivers, which helps protect the health of Tennessee’s rivers, streams and lakes.
People can also get creative and hold their own river-related events, such as educational seminars or engage other communities by sending clean river kits to different schools. Or, organize canoe and kayak trips down the Mississippi to raise public awareness about the importance of the river and its tributaries.
Volunteer clean-up events are another great way to get involved. By getting rid of debris and rubbish, locals can help to improve the health of the Mississippi River. These events are a wonderful way to get out and make a difference, while also connecting to nature and the river in a more hands-on way.
In addition to volunteering, people can also donate to a variety of local and national organizations that protect and promote the health of the Mississippi River. By helping to fund projects related to river clean-up and environmental education, individuals can directly promote the longevity of the river and its surrounding area.
The Future of the Mississippi River’s Health
The Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in the U.S. and serves many purposes, from connecting different communities to providing essential resources. With this in mind, it is essential to ensure the river stays healthy and clean. Keeping pollutants out of the water, preserving important habitats and communities, and safeguarding water resources are all essential steps to maintaining the health of the Mississippi River.
Fortunately, there are a variety of organizations, both local and national, that are fighting to protect and maintain the health of the Mississippi River. These include agencies like the Mississippi River Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as nonprofits like the Mississippi River Collaborative and the Mississippi River Network.
It is clear that the river is of vital importance to many communities along its banks and further afield. Nashville, Tennessee is no exception, and with ongoing efforts in place to keep the river healthy, the Mississippi can continue to serve both the local area and the nation as a whole.
