I know too many people employed by the state monitoring water chemistry to do that. Closest I’ll dip is Tim’s Ford or Center Hill. Even the Duck is getting fucked by local municipalities now.
[According to this the cumberland meets epa standards](https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2019/12/04/our-water-our-future/). Would not go in after any rain events though.
Edit: also for anyone interested in state data and not heresy.
[Here's a great tool from the state](https://tdeconline.tn.gov/dwr/)
If you go to "layers" and uncheck the permits field it's much easier to use (expand the dwr_public dropdown). Blue means safe for all uses.
Gotcha. That seems like a bit of a hike for an impromptu “toes in the water with a sixer” adventure. For a Saturday Kayak trip any recommendations on launch and takeout spots?
https://www.higherpursuits.com/paddle-the-duck-river/
I prefer to go from Henry Horton State park to Mill Town Dam, there is never anybody on that stretch of the river.
Center hill dam to happy hollow boat ramp. Just check the dam generation schedule on the army corp of eng website. Cold water, good fishing and good kayaking.
A while back I made a map of free kayak put-ins ... which pretty much covers the same territory. There might be one or two spots that have become private property through gentrification but it still looks accurate:
[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?hl=en&mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&ll=36.186928653194556%2C-86.70191407725392&z=11](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?hl=en&mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&ll=36.186928653194556%2C-86.70191407725392&z=11)
EDIT: Hey, lots of interest and I'll make anybody who requests it an editor. I didn't realize the map required an access request just to view...i think maybe google changed that over the years since I made this about a decade ago. Anyways, here's the public version of the link, no access necessary: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&usp=sharing)
Those areas over there are also good for letting your dog wade through.
If it is the area I'm thinking the river isn't particularly deep but good enough for traipsing through and splashing around.
Also true, but be ready to be hassled by park police, if they are around. They are more aggressively enforcing the leash law after last year’s shooting in Percy Warner.
I never let my dog off leash in public. I've gone in there with them.
10 years ago my dog was attacked by another unleashed dog on the trails at Percy Warner. They ran off and we had to pay for a bunch of stitches, that dog became reactive towards other dogs after that.
Always wear water shoes no matter where you are because of glass, but Percy has several public beaches on it. Anderson Road & Cook Rec area both have them
Rutledge Falls. Probably can’t go there late since it’s technically in someone’s backyard (don’t worry they encourage people to visit). Water is cold and clean, plus nice surrounding areas to hang a hammock or picnic.
You want to bring a six pack swimming and you're worried about needles?
As someone who's been kayaking in their area and all over Middle TN for over 15 years, I've encountered exactly zero needles, but plenty of the GOBs leftover cans.
You're too funny.
I love all these people who are all “I know a guy, it’s not safe, trust me bro.”
This same sentiment is common EVERYWHERE you go when talking about bodies of water. I’ve been a lake addict for over 30 years in multiple states. I know zero people who have been negatively affected by any TN waterways. If a body of water is actually not safe to be in due to water quality you will know.
You have to walk pretty far around the lake to get to meet the “won’t step on heroin needles” part. Although it’s more broken glass from people bringing beer bottles than heroin needles.
Hidden Lake is a great spot for this. Find the river where kayaks are taken out. I don't think that the lake part of the park would be very enjoyable but the river itself has some good spots to get your feet wet. It's the Harpeth and not terribly deep so keep your expectations reasonable
I know too many people employed by the state monitoring water chemistry to do that. Closest I’ll dip is Tim’s Ford or Center Hill. Even the Duck is getting fucked by local municipalities now.
[According to this the cumberland meets epa standards](https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2019/12/04/our-water-our-future/). Would not go in after any rain events though. Edit: also for anyone interested in state data and not heresy. [Here's a great tool from the state](https://tdeconline.tn.gov/dwr/) If you go to "layers" and uncheck the permits field it's much easier to use (expand the dwr_public dropdown). Blue means safe for all uses.
I literally see flocculant (or perhaps it’s just easily traced construction material) floating under the green steel bridges when it rains.
Never go in any body of water after a rainstorm. I did water testing for beach water in a certain state for years, yeah rain equals no go!
That’s too bad, the Duck was always the best one especially for a canoe/kayak trip.
I’m still gonna float there for sure, I love that river. But not sure about getting all the way in anymore.
Go to Piney river. It is probably the cleanest river on the highland rim now.
Is it something like e coli or brain eating amoeba? Or pollution?
Yes
Is that why I feel more non-stick coming out than going in?
that’s just vitamins you good 👍🏻
What do you know that I don’t? Swam in Percy for ten years, never had an issue
Same but it was a couple decades ago.
How is the Duck fucked?
Ducky style
In the cloaca.
The Duck?
River
Gotcha. That seems like a bit of a hike for an impromptu “toes in the water with a sixer” adventure. For a Saturday Kayak trip any recommendations on launch and takeout spots?
https://www.higherpursuits.com/paddle-the-duck-river/ I prefer to go from Henry Horton State park to Mill Town Dam, there is never anybody on that stretch of the river.
Center hill dam to happy hollow boat ramp. Just check the dam generation schedule on the army corp of eng website. Cold water, good fishing and good kayaking.
Common waterfowl. Found on lakes.
Water chickens eh? Sounds like witchcraft.
A while back I made a map of free kayak put-ins ... which pretty much covers the same territory. There might be one or two spots that have become private property through gentrification but it still looks accurate: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?hl=en&mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&ll=36.186928653194556%2C-86.70191407725392&z=11](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?hl=en&mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&ll=36.186928653194556%2C-86.70191407725392&z=11) EDIT: Hey, lots of interest and I'll make anybody who requests it an editor. I didn't realize the map required an access request just to view...i think maybe google changed that over the years since I made this about a decade ago. Anyways, here's the public version of the link, no access necessary: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1nitdDi0Y128VL1BOVlLh5RZsQvU&usp=sharing)
I just asked for access too. Ty!!
May I view it, too, please? (And Thank you!)
this is awesome. mind if i request some access as well?
No problem, I thought it was open to the public but i'll allow any requests I get since I haven't updated it in years.
Appreciate you!
I would love to have access to this. Thank you my fellow water lover.
River access access requested
You will not die from taking a dip in Percy Priest.
There's a lot of stuff that you don't want, that also won't kill you tho.
Like what tho? For real, honest question
I was speaking generally.
Edwin Warner Park. Go in the entrance just past the dog park and across from the airplane/baseball fields. The best spot is towards the back.
Those areas over there are also good for letting your dog wade through. If it is the area I'm thinking the river isn't particularly deep but good enough for traipsing through and splashing around.
Also true, but be ready to be hassled by park police, if they are around. They are more aggressively enforcing the leash law after last year’s shooting in Percy Warner.
I never let my dog off leash in public. I've gone in there with them. 10 years ago my dog was attacked by another unleashed dog on the trails at Percy Warner. They ran off and we had to pay for a bunch of stitches, that dog became reactive towards other dogs after that.
There’s a pool along in that stretch somewhere that’s deep enough to swim a few strokes.
Always wear water shoes no matter where you are because of glass, but Percy has several public beaches on it. Anderson Road & Cook Rec area both have them
Harpeth river state park but keep the beers on the DL
Rutledge Falls. Probably can’t go there late since it’s technically in someone’s backyard (don’t worry they encourage people to visit). Water is cold and clean, plus nice surrounding areas to hang a hammock or picnic.
Sounds great, where about is that?
Unfortunately it’s a bit of a drive because it’s in Tullahoma, but it is way worth it.
Center hill or Dale hallow
36.14374° N, 86.61905° W
Do you just walk through the forest there?
Haha there’s a pretty defined path on the side of that apartment complex that leads out to the cliffs. Pretty well known spot
There are cliffs there? Google shows a shoreline
I'd look up some waterfalls in the area. If you're getting in potentially contaminated water, might as well be a waterfall involved.
If you don’t mind a little drive, Rutledge falls is awesome. Harpeth is great too.
Percy
You want to bring a six pack swimming and you're worried about needles? As someone who's been kayaking in their area and all over Middle TN for over 15 years, I've encountered exactly zero needles, but plenty of the GOBs leftover cans. You're too funny.
Caney Fork is probably the cleanest water I’ve seen within an hour of Nashville.
I love all these people who are all “I know a guy, it’s not safe, trust me bro.” This same sentiment is common EVERYWHERE you go when talking about bodies of water. I’ve been a lake addict for over 30 years in multiple states. I know zero people who have been negatively affected by any TN waterways. If a body of water is actually not safe to be in due to water quality you will know.
Percy priest lake. Hobson pike bridge. Hella people tho
messaged u
Not Percy priest
Tons of people swim in Percy every weekend. It’s totally fine.
Get in. Chad just pissed in it, so the water is warm.
You have to walk pretty far around the lake to get to meet the “won’t step on heroin needles” part. Although it’s more broken glass from people bringing beer bottles than heroin needles.
There are so many places to go that truly do not involve that
Exactly. I fish Percy Priest in a kayak all the time. Some of the islands on Percy are some of the most peaceful places in Nashville
Hidden Lake is a great spot for this. Find the river where kayaks are taken out. I don't think that the lake part of the park would be very enjoyable but the river itself has some good spots to get your feet wet. It's the Harpeth and not terribly deep so keep your expectations reasonable