How long is the Tennessee River?
The Tennessee River is 652 miles long. It begins at the confluence of the French Broad and Holston rivers in Knoxville, Tennessee, and drains into the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky.
Questions about Tennessee River
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where does the Tennessee River get its name?
The name Tennessee is derived from a Cherokee village called Tanasi. Earlier European maps used names including "Caquinampo", "Kasqui", and "Hogohegee" before the current name became standard by the late 18th century.
Why has Georgia disputed the Tennessee River border?
Georgia argues that a survey conducted in 1818 placed the Tennessee-Georgia border approximately one mile south of where Congress had originally defined it in 1796, cutting Georgia off from a portion of the Tennessee River. Georgia made repeated attempts to correct the line in the 1890s, 1905, 1915, 1922, 1941, 1947-1971, and again in 2008 and 2013.
How many dams are on the Tennessee River?
Nine dams have been built on the Tennessee River since the 1930s, all constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee and Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River together created the area known as the Land Between the Lakes.
What wildlife lives in the Tennessee River?
The Tennessee River and its tributaries host around 102 species of mussel, as well as the rare freshwater snail Athearnia anthonyi. Mussel populations have declined significantly due to dam construction, water pollution, and invasive species.
What was the pearl button industry on the Tennessee River?
A pearl button industry was established in the Tennessee Valley in 1887, harvesting the river's abundant mussel shells to produce buttons. Production stopped after World War II when plastics replaced mother-of-pearl as a button material.