List of rivers of Tennessee facts for kids

Tennessee is a state in the United States, and it's home to many important rivers! Rivers are natural flowing watercourses, and they are super important for many reasons. They provide water for drinking, help with transportation, and are home to lots of wildlife. This article will tell you about some of the main rivers in Tennessee. All the rivers in Tennessee eventually flow into the Gulf of Mexico.

Understanding River Basins

A river basin is like a giant bowl where all the rain and snowmelt collect and flow into one main river. Think of it as a big funnel! All the smaller streams and rivers in that area join together to form a larger river. In Tennessee, most rivers are part of the huge Mississippi River basin.

Mississippi River Basin

The mighty Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in North America. Many rivers in Tennessee flow into it, either directly or through other large rivers like the Ohio River.

Here are some of the rivers in Tennessee that are part of the Mississippi River basin:

• Mississippi River
  • Wolf River
  • Hatchie River
    • Tuscumbia River
  • Forked Deer River
    • North Fork
    • Middle Fork
    • South Fork
  • Obion River
    • North Fork
    • Middle Fork
    • South Fork
    • Rutherford Fork

Lower Mississippi River

Tennessee River Basin

The Tennessee River is a major branch of the Ohio River, which then flows into the Mississippi. It's a very important river for Tennessee, providing power and water.

Here are some rivers that flow into the Tennessee River:

• Tennessee River
  • Big Sandy River
  • Duck River
    • Buffalo River
      • Green River
      • Little Buffalo River
    • Piney River
  • Elk River
    • Richland Creek
  • Sequatchie River
    • Little Sequatchie River
  • Hiwassee River
    • Ocoee River
    • Conasauga Creek
  • Piney River
    • Soak Creek
      • Little Piney Creek

Tennessee River drainage basin

Clinch River Basin

The Clinch River is another important river that joins the Tennessee River. It flows through parts of Virginia and Tennessee.

• Clinch River
  • Emory River
    • Little Emory River
    • Obed River
      • Little Obed River
  • Poplar Creek
    • East Fork Poplar Creek
  • Beaver Creek
  • Coal Creek
  • Powell River

Clinch River drainage basin

Little Tennessee and French Broad River Basins

These rivers are also part of the larger Tennessee River system.

• Little Tennessee River
  • Tellico River
    • Bald River
    • North River
• Little River
• French Broad River
  • Little Pigeon River
  • Nolichucky River
  • Pigeon River

Holston River drainage basin

Holston River Basin

The Holston River is another big tributary of the Tennessee River. It starts in Virginia and flows into Tennessee.

• Holston River
  • North Fork Holston River
  • South Fork Holston River
    • Watauga River
      • Doe River

* Little Doe River

• • • • Elk River
      • Roan Creek

Cumberland River Basin

The Cumberland River is a major river that flows through Kentucky and Tennessee before joining the Ohio River. It's known for its beautiful scenery and important cities like Nashville.

• Cumberland River
  • Red River
    • Passenger Creek
  • Harpeth River
    • Little Harpeth River
      • Otter Creek
  • Richland Creek
  • Mill Creek
    • Sevenmile Creek
  • Stones River
    • Overall Creek
  • Caney Fork
    • Hickman Creek
    • Smith Fork Creek
      • Clear Fork
      • Saunders Fork
    • Indian Creek
      • Little Indian Creek
    • Mine Lick Creek
    • Falling Water River
    • Collins River
      • Barren Fork
    • Rocky River
    • Calfkiller River
    • Cane Creek
  • Roaring River
    • Blackburn Fork River
    • Spring Creek
  • Obey River
    • Wolf River
      • Rotten Fork Wolf River
    • East Fork Obey River
    • West Fork Obey River
  • Big South Fork of the Cumberland River
    • Clear Fork
    • New River
  • Clear Fork (Cumberland River tributary)
    • Stinking Creek

Cumberland River drainage basin

Mobile River Basin

While most Tennessee rivers flow to the Mississippi, a small part of southeastern Tennessee is in the Mobile River basin. This river system flows south through Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico.

• Mobile River (AL)
  • Alabama River (AL)
    • Coosa River (AL, GA)
      • Oostanaula River (GA)

* Conasauga River

See also

• List of rivers in the United States