Tennessee River Basin

By: Katelin Kukk

The Tennessee River basin is home to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in North America. This basin is approximately 650 miles long, covering 40,900 square miles across 7 states: Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky. It hosts over 230 species of fish and around 100 species of freshwater mussels, many only found in this region. This incredible biodiversity makes this basin an ecological treasure.

Unfortunately, the condition of the Tennessee River basin is under threat. Pollution, stormwater runoff, coal-burning power plants, and untreated sewage are all taking a hit on the water quality and aquatic life. As a consequence, many species have been listed as endangered, and their populations are at risk. Conservation efforts have been made to protect this vital ecosystem and to save it indefinitely.