Harpeth Conservancy

06/05/2026

The first Tennessee Water Watch report of the 2026 sampling season is here!

Leading up to this week's sampling, Middle Tennessee saw significant rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 3 inches of rain going into Memorial Day. After weeks of drought, rivers and creeks were still likely experiencing elevated flows and runoff from these storms, which can affect water quality by washing bacteria, sediment, and other pollutants into waterways.

This week, volunteers collected samples from 18 sites across Middle Tennessee. Results showed:
🔴 5 sites at Warning levels (>751 CFU/100mL)
🟠 5 sites at Caution levels (501–750 CFU/100mL)
🟡 1 site at Advisory levels (236–500 CFU/100mL)
🟢 7 sites below the EPA recommended threshold for recreation (

06/04/2026

Tennessee sits within the Mississippi River Basin, meaning pollution that enters our rivers can travel hundreds of miles downstream, contributing to water quality challenges in the Mississippi River. That’s why we’re participating in the with 1 Mississippi

Join us for a cleanup along Mill Creek in Whitsett Park with our friends from Metro Parks!

By removing litter and debris from riparian areas and streams, we can help restore healthy habitats for Tennessee wildlife while protecting clean water for our communities. Along the way, you’ll also learn more about how to become a lifelong river steward and clean water advocate.

We’ll provide all necessary cleanup tools and equipment — wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Every bottle, bag, and piece of trash removed makes a difference!

Use this link to register: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/millcreekjune2026

06/02/2026

Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but our water infrastructure funding is not keeping pace.

Right now, Tennessee has the opportunity to unlock federal funding for clean water infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). One of the CWSRF funds would provide the state with over $36 million in federal funding for critical water infrastructure, such as replacement of aging pipes, expansion of sewage treatment capacity, and reduction of flood risks. TDEC has recently issued a report indicating Tennessee's initial decision not to provide the required 20% state match necessary to access those funds.

This is about more than pipes and permits. It’s about protecting public health, supporting growing communities, safeguarding our rivers and streams, and investing in Tennessee’s future.

Clean water infrastructure is not optional. It’s foundational.

Take action today and urge Tennessee leaders to pursue the required state match for FFY26 Supplemental CWSRF funding.

The link is below to send a comment letter today! It's easy and takes less than two minutes!

https://harpethconservancy.org/legislative2026/ #/4

06/01/2026

Saturday might’ve had rain in the forecast, but Sycamore Creek had other plans. ☀️

Thanks to a small but mighty crew of volunteers, more than 70 pounds of trash were removed from the recreation site, trail, and riparian areas this weekend! Every piece of trash collected helps protect cleaner water, healthier habitat, and stronger streams for the communities and wildlife that depend on them.

Shoutout to Justin for oddest find of the day— a brake disc from a car found near the creek!

A huge thank you to our partners at Ashland City Marina for helping make this cleanup possible. We’re especially excited that they’ll also be partnering with us through Tennessee Water Watch to help collect water quality samples at this location moving forward. Continued stewardship like this makes a real difference, and we can’t wait to see the reports start rolling in.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, pitched in, and helped care for Sycamore Creek. 💧💙

05/28/2026

Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but our water infrastructure funding is not keeping pace.

Right now, Tennessee has the opportunity to unlock federal funding for clean water infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). One of the CWSRF funds would provide the state with over $36 million in federal funding for critical water infrastructure, such as replacement of aging pipes, expansion of sewage treatment capacity, and reduction of flood risks. TDEC has recently issued a report indicating Tennessee's initial decision not to provide the required 20% state match necessary to access those funds.

This is about more than pipes and permits. It’s about protecting public health, supporting growing communities, safeguarding our rivers and streams, and investing in Tennessee’s future.

Clean water infrastructure is not optional. It’s foundational.

Take action today and urge Tennessee leaders to pursue the required state match for FFY26 Supplemental CWSRF funding.

Check the comments for the link to send a comment letter today! It's easy and takes less than two minutes!

Legislative Focus Conservation Day on the Hill Find My Legislator TN General Assembly Our Legislative Focus At Harpeth Conservancy, we believe that strong, science-based policies are essential to protecting Tennessee’s […]

05/28/2026

We’re kicking off the summer season by welcoming an incredible group of interns to the team (with a few more joining us later in June 👀💧)!

This summer, these students and young professionals will be helping support everything from Tennessee water policy and science to communications, community engagement, and Tennessee Water Watch.

Please help us welcome:

💧 Ace — High School Intern
Community Engagement | PEN Pals Program

💧 Allie — Vanderbilt Law School
Tennessee Water Policy | Legal Intern

💧 Alyssa — Sewanee: The University of the South
Community Engagement | Data Science Focus

💧 Evan — High School Intern
Community Engagement | Programs Intern

💧 Gray — University of Kentucky
Communications Intern

💧 Henry — Yale University
Science & Community Engagement

💧 Malaina — University of Oregon School of Law
Tennessee Water Policy | Legal Intern

💧 Marcie — Tennessee Tech University
Science Intern | Tennessee Water Watch

From science and storytelling to advocacy and hands-on programs, we’re excited to spend the summer protecting Tennessee’s waters together with these folks as part of the team!

05/27/2026

It’s and today we’re talking about one of the most common indicators used to understand river health: E. coli.

In water quality monitoring, E. coli is used as an indicator organism, meaning its presence can help signal that f***l contamination may be entering a waterway from sources such as failing septic systems, sewer overflows, livestock runoff, pet waste, wildlife, or polluted stormwater runoff.

Why do scientists monitor for it?
Because elevated E. coli levels can indicate an increased risk of illness for people recreating in the water, especially after rainfall events.

Rain can wash bacteria and other pollutants from streets, yards, agricultural land, and developed areas directly into nearby creeks and rivers. As a result, water quality conditions can change rapidly depending on weather, flow conditions, land use, and infrastructure.

Monitoring helps scientists, communities, and watershed organizations better understand patterns in river health, identify areas of concern, and support science-based decision making that protects clean water.

And speaking of monitoring, Tennessee Water Watch volunteers are officially back out on rivers and streams across Middle Tennessee collecting samples for the 2026 season. Our first weekly TN Water Watch report will be shared at the end of next week.

Community science plays an important role in helping us better understand Tennessee’s waterways. Stay tuned each week as we see more and more of the water quality data come in from our favorite recreation sites!

05/26/2026

For the first time, Down the Duck is coming home to the watershed!

Join us in Columbia on June 12 for a special screening of Down the Duck, a film by Archaea Productions in partnership with Nashville Public Television. This powerful documentary follows septuagenarian photographer John Guider as he canoes all 270 miles of the Duck River, the most aquatically biodiverse river in North America!

Along the journey, the film weaves together the stories of the river itself: its beauty, history, wildlife, challenges, and the communities that call it home. Through conversations with ecologists, historians, local residents, and conservation advocates, Down the Duck captures both the wonder of this extraordinary river and the urgency of protecting it for future generations.

And there’s something especially meaningful about this first public showing happening right here in the Duck River watershed. 💙

📍 Columbia, TN
📅 June 12
🕕 Doors Open: 6 PM
🎥 Film Begins: 6:30 PM

Come celebrate a river journey, a Tennessee story, and leave with a reminder of what's worth protecting.

Follow the link below to get your FREE tickets to the event👇

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/dtd-columbia

Please support my important cause!

05/22/2026

It’s National Safe Boating Week!

As many Tennesseans head out to enjoy our rivers and lakes this Memorial Day weekend, here’s your friendly reminder: life jackets save lives.

Whether you’re boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, or spending time on any personal watercraft, wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest and most important ways to stay safe on the water.

Think of a life jacket like your seatbelt on the water — you hope you never need it, but it can make all the difference in an emergency.

Be safe. Have fun. Wear your life jacket. 🛟💙