Posted 4/19/24

The Duck River which flows through neighboring Maury County, and then winds through six other Middle Tennessee counties for more than 260 miles before reaching the Tennessee River, is among the most endangered rivers in the United States.

Threatened by population growth, development and climate change, the Duck River is in need of help.

The Duck River serves as the source of drinking water for nearly 250,000 Tennesseans, and industry and agriculture depend on it, also.

Often considered one of Tennessee’s most pristine waterways, it draws more than 150,000 people each year for boating, fishing and other recreation.

But threats continue to the health and vitality of the river, one of the three most biodiverse rivers in the world. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has proposed to increase the amount of water withdrawals local utilities can take from the river by 16 million gallons each day.

With that, and other threats, Several groups are asking Governor Bill Lee to establish a group of experts to make recommendations on water management and conservation, direct the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to develop a long-term watershed plan and to fund scientific studies on the Duck River.