Guest post by Amy Frankel
August is National Water Quality Month! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) founded National Water Quality Month in 2005 to commemorate the passage of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act in the early 70s, and to encourage conversation around the importance of good water quality. A priority focal area of TennGreen Land Conservancy is protecting wetlands and lands along rivers and streams. In regards to Tennessee’s water, there are positives as well as challenges. TennGreen is committed to safeguarding and improving the water quality in our state’s waterways.
TENNESSEE’S WATER RESOURCES
According to the US News and World Report, Tennessee ranks as the state with the 10th cleanest water in the US. Tennessee is home to abundant water resources, including numerous rivers, lakes, and aquifers. However, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has estimated that about 30 percent of the state’s streams are of such poor water quality that they cannot support a healthy population of fish and other aquatic wildlife, and almost 40 percent are not fit for human recreation (University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension).
The Cumberland, Tennessee, and Mississippi Rivers are the lifeblood of the state, providing not only recreational opportunities but also vital water supply for industries, agriculture, and communities. The state’s network of streams and creeks further contributes to its rich aquatic ecosystem, supporting diverse aquatic life and fostering the growth of lush vegetation.
CHALLENGES TO WATER QUALITY
While Tennessee’s waters may look pretty and provide great opportunities for recreation and admiration, they face numerous challenges that threaten their quality and sustainability. Agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, urban development, and inadequate wastewater treatment are among the primary contributors to water pollution. Fertilizers, pesticides, sediment, and various contaminants can find their way into water bodies, compromising their health and biodiversity. Additionally, the changing climate has begun to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, leading to increased erosion, flooding, and pollution runoff.
TENNGREEN’S ROLE
The impact on Tennessee’s water quality is one of the reasons protecting wetlands and lands along rivers and streams is a key conservation focus of TennGreen. By collaborating with landowners, local communities, and government agencies, TennGreen acquires and protects critical lands to preserve vital watersheds and riparian buffers for the benefit of both nature and people.
In 2007, landowners of a portion of Blackburn Fork State Scenic River donated a conservation easement on their approximately 400-acre property. In 2011 and 2014, the same landowners donated the property to TennGreen, which was then conveyed to the State of Tennessee and became the Blackburn Fork Wildlife Management Area.
Blackburn Fork also contains several rare and endangered species in need of protection, and its riverbanks serve as greenway corridors for wildlife conservation. Some of those species are the Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) and the Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla). Blackburn Fork is also a part of the Cumberland River watershed, which has been identified by the National Geographic Society as the most diverse temperate freshwater ecosystem in the world, with the greatest number of at-risk fish and mussel species in the freshwater regions of the United States. It has also been identified as a watershed hotspot by The Nature Conservancy.
PROTECTING AND IMPROVING WATER QUALITY
Tennessee’s water resources are a vital component of its natural heritage, providing essential services to ecosystems and human communities alike. The efforts of conservation groups like TennGreen and conservation-minded landowners are instrumental in safeguarding and enhancing the state’s water quality. Through strategic conservation, the organization is working towards a future where Tennessee’s waters remain pristine, supporting the vibrant ecosystems and enriching the lives of the state’s residents.
If you’re interested in protecting your land and water resources, contact TennGreen’s experts now at land@tenngreen.org or (615) 329-4441 ext. 120! More information also available here.
Top photo by Chuck Sutherland