Red River Watershed Association

The meanderings of the Red River and its tributaries that flow through agricultural, forested and suburban areas of 10 counties connect many people -- past, present and future-- who live, work and play in South Central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. From its headwaters in Sumner County to where it joins the Cumberland River near Clarksville, Tennessee, the Red River and approximately 1,500 miles of creeks and streams collect rain from a 1,482 square mile region, the watershed. This area encompasses some of the most biologically and historically significant land in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Red River system is also a vital economic resource supplying ground and surface water for livestock, irrigation and municipal drinking water.

The Red River flows through a varied geological region and creates a scenic landscape of agricultural valleys, forested hills and karst rock formations with sinkholes and caves. It is a key component of the quality of life that many people value in their communities. Fishermen, canoeists and others enjoy the Red River system’s peaceful beauty and tranquil waters, as well as its biological diversity. The Red River is recognized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as being a significant catfish, bass, bluegill and crappie fishery. These streams and their banks also provide habitat for aquatic insects, freshwater mussels and clams, and many other animals and plants. The Red River Watershed contains several high quality streams, including Whippoorwill Creek, a source to the Red River and a designated Outstanding State Resource Water. The Red River Watershed is part of the Cumberland River Basin, one of the unique freshwater river systems of the Southeast that contains a greater variety of aquatic life than anywhere else in the world.