Does the Tennessee River Connect to the Mississippi River?
The Tennessee River is a 652 miles geographically complex river located in the southeastern region of the United States. It begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee and flows through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Alabama before meeting the Mississippi River at the Tennessee-Mississippi state line. Even though they share the same name, the river’s connection to the Mississippi River is frequently misunderstood.
Historically, the river became an important source of water and transportation to the settlers of the region. Located in what was once known as the Western Territory, the river was later separated by the Mississippi state line when it became part of Alabama and Mississippi in the 19th century. Starting from the Chickamauga Dam in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the river spans upstream and downstream from the southeast of Alabama, including a few tributaries such as the Elk, Duck and Beaverhead Rivers, until it eventually meets the Mississippi River at the Pickwick Reservoir.
Ranging in depths from five to thirty-five feet, the Tennessee River is comparatively shallow for a river of its length, allowing for much larger vessels to travel. As a contrast, the channel depth of the Mississippi River ranges from around five to twenty-five feet. This makes it difficult for vessels traveling along the Mississippi to reach the upstream of the Tennessee, unless they make a major ‘river turn’, which requires extra care and fuel to navigate.
The Tennessee River today is home to more than 250 species of fish. With more than 17% of the river’s riverfront managed by The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and their vast network of reservoirs and dams, the ecology of the river is carefully managed to ensure healthy habitats for the species that inhabit the waterways.
While the two rivers serve different purposes, the Tennessee River connects to the Mississippi River. Before the completion of the Cumberland River Dam in 1929, the two connections to the Mississippi were the upstream from Pickwick Dam and the downstream from the Wolf Island Pond to the junction of the Ohio River. Boats going upstream from the Mississippi or downstream from the Tennessee got to their destinations by steering around the shallow bottoms of Chickamauga and Chickamauga, a somewhat dangerous practice.
The interface between the two rivers exhibits the largest concentration of energy, so they produce a heavy spring runoff that is essential to the economic benefit of the region’s residents. This runoff gives the rivers more water to maneuver through the thick woods and coves of the Tennessee Valley and Mississippi drainage basins.
Dams on the Tennessee River
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation of the United States Government established in 1933 to help with the economic, environmental, and financial stability of the Tennessee River basin. Monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state and federal agencies, TVA has constructed nine major dams, generating power and helping to control flooding in the valley.
The Guntersville Dam, constructed in 1939 and located downstream of the Tennessee River at Guntersville, is the oldest dam on the river and produces hydroelectricity of about 24,000 kilowatts of electricity, mainly used to serve the northern section of the Chattanooga metropolitan area. The Chickamauga Dam, built in 1940, is the second oldest and has multiple functions. Aside from generating electric power and managing the flooding of the river, it also serves as a small distribution point of water along the Tennessee Valley.
Completed in 1944, the Nickajack Dam is the largest of the dams located on the Tennessee River. It has a combined production of electric power and water supply of 15,000 kilowatts and 825 million gallons per day, respectively. The last of the TVA’s dams on the Tennessee River, the Kentucky Dam, is located just upstream of the Pickwick National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky and produces about 2200 million kilowatts of electric power.
Recreational and Tourism Purposes of the Tennessee River
The Tennessee River has been utilized for recreational and tourism purposes since the early settlement of the region. Made accessible by the expansive lock and dam system of the TVA, the river is dotted with state and local parks and is a popular destination for outdoor sports activities and tourism. People come from all over to explore riverside campgrounds, marinas, boat launches, and swimming areas, among other attractions.
The river has been used to create multiple man-made islands, such as the popular Pickwick Island Wildlife Refuge and the East Island of the Tennessee River. Recreation-seekers can explore both of the islands, with activities ranging from camping and picnicking to fishing, boat-rides and swimming. Along with the great outdoor scenery, people visiting these attractions also get to learn about the history and culture of the region from the nearby museums and heritage sites.
The TVA has set up multiple facilities, such as public cabins, across the region to promote tourism and recreational activities. These facilities offer visitors a great view of the river and its many tributaries as well as fishing, camping and boating. Visitors can also take part in educational activities, such as kayaking and canoeing. The TVA also organizes guided fishing trips and walking tours along the riverside of the Tennessee River.
The Impact of the Tennessee River on Local Economy
The economic impact of the river is mainly due to the benefits it brings to the region’s ecology and recreation. The river has traditionally been an important source of food and recreation activities, providing a great source of income to the local fishing and tourism industries. It is also a great source of transportation, with barges and boats traveling along the river to reach their destinations.
The river connecting to other waterways also helps people to get access to the ports and other facilities provided by the US government. Furthermore, the river also serves as a great source of drinking water for the people living near it, allowing for the locals to lead a healthier life. Local businesses enjoy considerable longevity due to the influx of tourists who come to the region for recreation and tourism purposes.
In addition, the presence of the river encourages new businesses to arrive in the region. The location makes the region a far more attractive place to live and do business, in turn stimulating economic growth and creating more jobs in the area.
Environmental Impacts of the Tennessee River
Since its construction in 1933, the Tennessee River has had a great and significant effect on the ecology and environment of the region. The presence of dams has had particular implications on the ecology of the river, with water flows typically changing in general and during the summer months. These changes cause fluctuations in the water levels of the river’s tributaries, creating significant changes in the species inhabiting the area. Similarly, pollutants and sediments dumped by nearby industries have had a negative effect on the rivers’ sustainability and its aquatic species.
The TVA has attempted to minimize the ecological damage done to the region by regulating the river flora and fauna, as well as carrying out periodic examinations and surveys of the aquatic life to ensure its healthy thriving. They have set up multiple programs to monitor water quality and the health of the local fish, as well as engaging in multiple reforestation programs to restore the natural habitat from the upstream.
The Tennessee River connection to its tributaries and the Mississippi River provide many benefits to the environment and people of the region. The ecological importance of the river has been recognized and efforts have been made to reduce the impact of its usage on the aquatic life, with the hopes of sustaining the region’s biodiversity.
Conservation of the Tennessee River
Due to the ecological importance of the region, regional and local authorities have strived to protect the environment of the Tennessee Valley from its industrial and agricultural uses. The TVA has established multiple efforts to conserve the local fish species and restore the aquatic habitats. They have also set up special conservation programs for the endangered species of the region, including the American Freshwater Turtles (AFT).
Apart from the TVA-managed conservation efforts, there have been numerous initiatives by local and regional authorities to conserve the environment of the Tennessee River. These initiatives include the creation of multiple sanctuaries and the restoration of disturbed habitats, such as wetlands and forested areas. Furthermore, they also focus on the removal of pollutants and sediments with the help of natural and man-made habitats.
In addition to protecting and conserving the environment, the TVA also facilitates recreational and educational activities along the river. This helps create awareness about the ecological importance of the area and encourages the locals to take part in conservation and protection efforts. In doing so, the Tennessee River can continue to provide the region’s citizens with the many benefits it has to offer.
Conclusion
The Tennessee River and its connection to the Mississippi River are of great important for both the environment and the people of the region. Its significance and significance of its planning and government-crafted features has been recognized since the 19th century, with the continued development of lock and dam systems. The region’s recreational and tourism industries have greatly benefited from the river, while it also serves as a great source of drinking water and agricultural purposes. Diverting its course to meet the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River has become an integral part of the region’s ecology, cultural and economic growth.
