Eighty three percent of the Obey River Watershed is in Tennessee, with the remainder in Kentucky. The watershed drains 779 square miles, with 776 stream miles and 22,000 lake acres. Land in the watershed is primarily used for cattle, grain and tobacco farming. Oil and natural gas wells and abandoned coal mines are scattered throughout the watershed.
Hunting and fishing are popular, as are watersports on Dale Hollow Reservoir. Dale Hollow Dam was completed in 1943 and is operated as a hydroelectric plant by the Corps of Engineers. Dale Hollow is one of the cleanest reservoirs in the state and is a popular recreation area in both Kentucky and Tennessee.
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.
