Table 1. Surface-water characteristics of hydrologic subregions and major river basins in Tennessee
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Hydrologic subregion Major river basin and Physiographic Response to drought Remarks
(see fig. 3 for associated river divisions
location on map) (see fig. 2 for (Miller, 1974)
location on map)
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Lower Mississippi-Hatchie Hatchie-Obion Coastal Plain Sustained flow from ground Few available storage
Obion water in main stem during sites. High sediment
Hatchie dry months. Small streams load and poor water
Loosahatchie will be dry. quality limits use;
Wolf pumps must use filters.
Nonconnah
Forked Deer
Cumberland (including the Upper Cumberland Central Basin Many small unregulated streams In the Central Basin,
Green River basin in Obey Highland Rim are characterized by no flow streamflow is highly
Tennessee) Caney Cumberland or low flow during dry periods. responsive to rainfall,
Lower Cumberland Plateau. The Cumberland River is and flows are poorly
Harpeth regulated. sustained. Streamflows
Stones are fairly well sustained
Red in the Highland Rim. The
Sequatchie River stream-
flows in the Cumberland
Plateau are poorly
sustained.
Lower Tennessee Lower Tennessee Highland Rim In late summer and early fall, In the Central Basin,
Duck Central Basin unregulated streams go dry streamflow is highly
Buffalo Western Valley or sustain low flows. responsive to rainfall
Beech and flows are poorly
Big Sandy sustained. Streamflows
are fairly well sustained
in the Highland Rim.
Streamflow is adequately
sustained for supply in
the Western Valley.
Middle Tennessee-Elk Middle Tennessee-Elk Highland Rim Commonly in late summer, unregu- In the Central Basin,
Elk Cumberland Plateau lated streams go dry, streamflow is highly
Shoal Central Basin particularly along the basin responsive to rainfall
Flint rim. and flows are poorly
sustained. Streamflows
are fairly well sustained
in the Highland Rim. In
the Cumberland Plateau,
streamflows are poorly
sustained.
Upper Tennessee French Broad-Holston Blue Ridge Commonly in late summer, unregu- In the Blue Ridge, steep
French Broad Valley and Ridge lated streams go dry. Many terrain and low permea-
Holston Cumberland Plateau small unregulated streams may bility result in high
Nolichucky sustain low flow with ground- runoff rates. Many
Upper Tennessee water inflow. springs are in the area.
Clinch Surface-water impound-
Powell ments enhance water
Little Tennessee supplies in the Valley
Little and Ridge. In the
Tellico Cumberland Plateau,
streamflows are poorly
sustained.
Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee Middle Tennessee- Blue Ridge Commonly in late summer, unregu- In the Blue Ridge, steep
(including the Alabama Hiwassee Valley and Ridge lated streams go dry, terrain and low permea-
region) Hiwassee Cumberland Plateau particularly along the basin bility result in high
Sequatchie rim. Even streams having water- runoff rates. Many
sheds exceeding 100 square miles springs are in the area.
may cease to flow. Surface-water impound-
ments enhance water
supplies in the Valley
and Ridge. In the
Cumberland Plateau,
streamflows are poorly
sustained.
South Atlantic-Gulf Conasauga Blue Ridge Commonly in late summer, unregu- In the Blue Ridge, steep
Valley and Ridge lated streams go dry, terrain and low
particularly along the basin permeability result in
rim. high runoff rates. Many
springs are in the area.
Surface-water impound-
ments can enhance water
supplies.
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