The rain that drenched middle Tennessee over the weekend of May 1st and 2nd had devastating effects. Many places received around 13 inches of rain in a 36 hour period, causing widespread flooding. Our hearts go out to all of those that lost loved ones and property. We have been doing as much as we can to help those in need, including volunteering for the cleanup efforts. In Nashville, we have been volunteering through Hand On Nashville. They still have opportunities; please sign up here (www.HON.org) if you have not done so yet.

The rain and subsequent flooding also damaged our streams, rivers, environment, and infrastructure. The Cumberland River Compact is dedicated to helping our region to rebuild in a way that protects people and their property by respecting our natural systems and their ability to provide the things we need like clean water. Over the next several months, we will be working with our local officials, building professionals, watershed leaders, and homeowners to provide the resources that are needed to make smart choices that conserve water, save energy, and makes our region more sustainable.

Please contact us at info@cumberlandrivercompact.org if you have any questions or suggestions for us.

Sincerely,
Doug Hausken, Executive Director

http://www.nashvilleriverfront.org

How did the May 2010 flood happen?  What caused it?
The short answer is rain – and lots of it.  Experts characterize this as a 500-year rain event meaning a storm of this significance has a .2% chance of occurring in a given year. Other experts calculate it was even larger than that. Generally speaking, Middle Tennessee received an entire month's worth of rain in two days so what typically would seep into the ground, or flow calmly to our rivers, streams and tributaries unfortunately could not. Our natural environment simply could not keep up.
Read more here or download the .pdf.

This is our normal report that we create three times a year about the condition of the Cumberland River system. This particular report was completed prior to the flooding, which makes it somewhat dated. However, it has some very interesting information that has direct relevance as we go forward.
Read the Mainstem Report here or download the .pdf.

Despite the lifting of many water use restrictions, it is important that we continue to use water like the precious resource that it is. So please continue to make many of these practices, regular habits.

Saving Water for Nashville
Quick, Cheap, and Easy Choices You Can Do Today!

Middle Tennessee is faced with the very ironic challenge of flooding on the one hand and the severe need for saving water on the other. It’s important for everyone to conserve water until further notice. Until we get full water treatment plants going again all of us can take some simple steps to reduce our water use until the crisis has passed.
Read Saving Water for Nashville here or download the .pdf.

River Smart Tips

Much of our tap water comes from rivers. And we all do things around the house every day that can affect our rivers and streams - the very water we drink. Remember, your rivers are closer than you think. Be RiverSmart about the things you do by following these easy tips.
Download the RiverSmart Tips .pdf.

Nashville's Flood Information page: http://nashville.gov/flood/

Hand On Nashville: www.hon.org

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee: www.cfmt.org

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/

Mayor's Open Space Advisory Committee: http://nashvilleopenspace.wordpress.com/

The Association of State Floodplain Managers: www.floods.org

Using a rain barrel can save you some money, give your plants a water they will like more than tap water, and help to slow storm water runoff. You can also save energy used when the water is processed to drinking standards.
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