The Tennessee River forms at the confluence of the Holston and French Broad rivers in Knoxville, Tennessee, and flows through East Tennessee, Huntsville and Decatur, Muscle Shoals, and the Jackson Purchase before flowing into the Ohio River at Paducah, Kentucky.
The average depth of the Tennessee River is 9 feet. It runs from western North Carolina to western Kentucky for 652 miles. It’s one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the United States.
The Tennessee River is a major river in the United States that runs for 652 miles from western North Carolina to western Kentucky. It is a tributary of the Ohio River. The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers provide important goods and services to many cities, including Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville, and Paducah.
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How deep is the Tennessee River?
River depth is currently 9 feet or 2.7 meters, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. It’s hard to get an exact number, but 9 feet isn’t the deepest the river gets.
Due to the number of dams on the Tennessee River, it is difficult to estimate how deep it is at its deepest point.
River depths can be deceptive before and after dams because they are extremely deep before and after.
In addition to being deep, the Tennessee River is also home to some amazing wildlife. This includes everything from fish and spiders to animals that can walk on land or swim underwater. If you’re looking for a fun and free activity while visiting the area, why not try and find all of these creatures?
Tennessee River Facts
- Fish and mussels from the Upper Tennessee River Basin are famous all over the country.
- The Tennessee River Basin has 85 mussel species and 174 fish species.
- A large population of bald eagles nests here too.
- Forests cover more than 67% of the river basin.
- Over 26% of the Tennessee River Basin is used for agriculture
- There are bald eagles, ospreys, and cliff swallows near the river.
- It’s also home to muskrats, beavers, and otters.
What is the average depth of the Tennessee River?

The average depth of the Tennessee River is 9 feet. This makes it a perfect river for barges carrying goods around the region each year!
Although the Tennessee River flows through more than a few cities, it can be difficult to find its deepest part. That’s because dams block its path and make it difficult to estimate the depth of the river accurately.
However, don’t let that stop you from enjoying all that this wide and shallow river has to offer! The width of the river makes up for its shallow depth on average and at its widest point.
What is the maximum depth of the Tennessee River?
The maximum depth of the Tennessee River is 9 feet. It flows through six states before ending in Kentucky. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) estimates the deepest point at 2.7 meters, or about 9 feet deep.
However, the exact depth of the river at its widest point is hard to pinpoint because of dams.
How wide is the Tennessee River?
The Tennessee River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. Not only does it run through a few states, but it’s also quite wide!
Despite its shallow depth, the river’s width makes up for it. Tennessee River’s average width is between 0.5 and 1 mile. It measures 1.5 miles wide at its widest point.
This makes it an ideal river for barges carrying goods around the region.
What is the average width of the Tennessee River?
There is an average width of about 0.5 to 1 mile across the Tennessee River, depending on the location. It is estimated that the river measures around 1.5 miles at its widest point. Because of the river’s width and depth, it is an ideal place for river barges to travel with goods from one region to another
What states does the Tennessee River flow through?
The Tennessee River flows through four states:
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
The river begins at the Kentucky/Virginia border and flows into the Ohio River. It’s only 250 feet away from Georgia, but it crosses into that state! The French Broad and Holson Rivers meet at the beginning of the river where Knoxville is located.
Places That The Tennessee River Flows Through
Some important cities that the river covers are
- Bridgeport in Alabama
- Chattanooga
- Cherokee
- Clifton
- Clump
- Decatur
- Florence
- Grand Rivers
- Guntersville
- Harrison
- Huntsville
- Killen
- Knoxville
- Lakeside
- Langston
- Lenoir City
- Loudon
- New Johnsonville
- Paducah
- Redstone Arsenal
- Saltillo
- Savannah
- Scottsboro
- Sheffield
- Soddy-Daisy
- Signal Mountain
- South Pittsburg
- Triana
- Waterloo
Can you swim in the Tennessee River?
As far as the river’s pollutants are concerned, most levels are considered safe for swimming except for a few areas where fishing and swimming advisories are in place.
