Restoring Streams & Rivers

Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s goal is to conserve Tennessee’s healthy and abundant waterways. Water is one of our state’s greatest natural resources. Tennessee contains more than 60,000 miles of streams and rivers which provide habitat for fish and wildlife, fresh water for agriculture and public consumption, and numerous recreation opportunities.

Why Streams & Rivers?

28%

of Tennessee’s streams and rivers that have been assessed are polluted or their health is impacted, meaning they do not support their classified uses. Less than half have been assessed.

40%

of Tennessee’s streams & rivers are not fit for human recreational use.

565

miles

of river have public advisories for contaminated fish (as of June 2022).

Streams and rivers are some of the most important natural resources in the state.

Tennessee’s more than 60,000 miles of streams and rivers create habitat for numerous species of fish, mussels, aquatic insects, and much more. They also irrigate cropland and provide drinking water for people and wildlife across the state.

Historically, it was common to channelize streams and rivers or modify the banks and path of the water for agricultural purposes. Today, Tennessee Wildlife Federation is working to restore the natural channels and flow of streams and rivers across the state, which will improve water quality, create healthier ecosystems, and provide numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation.

What we do for streams & Rivers

11

miles

of streams and rivers restored to their natural flow.

5

years

of monitoring to measure success and long-term viability of restored wetlands.

Are you a landowner?

You could benefit from the Federation's decades of experience in habitat restoration.

Interested in learning if your land is a fit for habitat restoration?

Tell us more

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Your generosity helps manage wildlife populations and restore habitats for a more vibrant Tennessee.

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More Habitat Restoration

Rebuilding Habitats One Tree at a Time

Whether revitalizing forests, stabilizing riverbanks, or creating wildlife corridors, planting trees helps rebuild ecosystems and support a diverse array of wildlife species.

Reviving Tennessee: Cane Creek

In 2017, Tennessee Wildlife Federation began its first wetland restoration project—a 12 acre site in the Cane Creek watershed in Putnam County. As of 2024, the site has undergone an amazing transformation and is now permanently protected under a conservation easement.

Habitats We Restore

Tennessee Wildlife Federation works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve and restore the four major habitat types in Tennessee: forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands.