Description: Parts of Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Montgomery and Stewart Counties make up the 987 square mile Lake Barkley watershed, containing 1,928 miles of streams. The eastern portion of the watershed is dominated by agriculture production of row crops, swine and dairy, the exception being the rugged escarpment area, which is mostly forested ridges and knobs.
Near Lake Barkley, land is also rugged and is mostly deciduous forest. Lake Barkley State Resort Park is located in this part of the watershed. Land is also used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. A portion of the watershed is part of the Fort Campbell Military Reservation. On the far western side of Lake Barkley, the watershed is comprised of The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The Tennessee Valley Divide runs north to south down the middle of the Land Between the Lakes and forms the watershed boundary between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Lake Barkley was created by damming the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Completed in 1966, the facility is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and provides hydropower, year-round navigation and recreation on the lake.
Know what the major Cumberland River pollutant is? Well, it is the DIRT and
the other "stuff" from our yards, our roofs and our driveways that runs off
every time we have a good rain.
If we all kept our dirt in our own yards, the river would be a lot healthier
and safer for everyone.
Visit the Sediment page to learn more about Muddy Waters and what YOU can do
to keep your dirt at home.
