# Popular Features Of Harpeth River Nashville

- Link: https://comsac.com/recreation-sports/popular-features-of-harpeth-river-nashville
- Published: 2016-03-17T16:36:20-06:00
- Author: Scott Nelson

Scenic canoe trips are a popular recreation activity in Tennessee. This is done 
in [Harpeth River Nashville](http://www.tip-a-canoe.com/). It has several other 
important uses and a part of it is marked as the scenic river by the Tennessee Scenic
River Acts.

Harpeth itself originates in Rutherford County with Eagleville as the headwaters.
It is about one hundred and fifteen miles long. It passes through different counties
with its focal point being in Nashville. Here it is recognized as a scenic river
under the Tennessee Scenic River Acts. It passes through Franklin in Williamson 
County before getting into Davidson County. It feeds the Cumberland River and has
its own tributaries such as the Little Harpeth and West Harpeth River.

The stream holds much history for Nashville and Tennessee State. A major historic
site is a tunnel built in the nineteenth century by Montgomery Bell at the Narrows
Harpeth. He used black powder and slave labor to create a seven mile tunnel through
two hundred yards of rock to channel water to power his iron mill. Hundred and fifty
years ago, the Harpeth played a big role in the Battle of Franklin and also contributed
to the successful outcome of the Nashville campaign.

Harpeth is classified under class one due to its slow motion. This makes it possible
for people to enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, picnic and canoeing activities 
along the stream during summer. Conveniently, there are many companies that offer
canoeing and kayaking services and equipments in Nashville. A person can also use
their own resources. Either way, fishing and boating rules of the Tennessee state
must be adhered.

There are designated access points to the water which can be viewed in the Tennessee
State Parks site maps. Some lands bordering the river are private lands and as such
a person cannot stop there for a picnic or swim. The scenery includes overhanging
tress incorporated with great rock cliffs and grassy fields. The lower part in Nashville
is designated as the scenic river by the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act. The Harpeth
Scenic River complex entails picnic facilities, canoe access at the Newsom mill 
ruins and bridges. The state park allows activities such as hiking and picnic activities.

Fishing is another popular activity in the area. This water is home to approximately
fifty species of fish and thirty species of mussels. Cruising along the river will
allow a person to see fish jumping especially the smallmouth bass. Other types of
fish include the catfish, perch, crappie and bluegill among others. Other aquatic
and wildlife that depend on this water include otters, beavers, blue herons, turtles,
ducks and deer.

This stream also functions to provide water supply to towns and as a means of disposing
waste. Last year, it was listed as the ninth most endangered river in America. The
above two functions are the reason for this risk as they decrease the water level
and contaminate it respectively. They put danger to the aquatic life and recreation
activities.

The water has often been claimed to have low standards for sustaining aquatic and
recreation activities during summer time. However, the problem used to occur due
to withdrawal of water by the plant up stream. Fortunately, the new withdrawal permit
has restrictions on the percentage of water that can be taken to the plant.

If you are looking for the facts about [Harpeth River Nashville](http://www.tip-a-canoe.com)
visitors can come to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available
at http://www.tip-a-canoe.com now.