U.S. Southeast Rivers and Streams

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
© WWF-Canon /Kevin SCHAFER

Beginning with the arrival of European colonists, and intensifying with widespread agriculture and the industrial revolution in the 19th century, human impacts have significantly altered the rich aquatic habitats of the Southeast. A host of activities from agriculture and logging to road building and dams pose serious challenges to the rich natural heritage of this region and the diverse aquatic life that lives in its waters.

WWF is focused on four areas that present the best opportunities for altering the global forces that challenge the future of this unique region:

Protecting free-flowing rivers
The Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mobile River Basins host the highest levels of freshwater biodiversity in North America. Despite an exceptional diversity of species and inherent ecological value, the abundance of freshwater resources in the southeastern United States has often resulted in short-sighted management decisions. Dams that bring benefits of flood protection, recreational opportunities, power generation, and irrigation, also generate profound environmental impacts. WWF is creating an action plan for protecting and restoring remaining aquatic habitat in the southeastern United States by reforming management practices of dam and impoundment structures in Mobile River Basins. Learn more

Protecting and restoring watersheds

The damming and diversion of free-flowing rivers and streams create habitat fragmentation that removes natural avenues for aquatic species migration, reproduction and adoption and adaptation. WWF promotes model for sustainable development that balances energy use, flood control and irrigation needs with ecological needs. We also work with local and national governments to advocate public policies that provide incentives for sound management of water and land resources.

Reintroducing federally-protected aquatic species

Increased pollution in rivers and streams weakens the natural survival mechanisms of native species that are crucial for evolutionary competition with nonnative, invasive species. WWF collaborates with conservation partners to restore the region’s water quality and aquatic habitats so that federally-listed endangered and threatened fish and mussel species can be reintroduced and thrive.

To help protect the rich biodiversity in the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile River Basins, WWF analyzed aquatic species and habitat information and identified 29 watersheds that are the highest priorities for protection. WWF also selected watersheds within each unique geologic region of the river basins. Read our report, A Vision for the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins.

Advocating “smart” economic growth

As human population in the Southeast continues to grow, new infrastructure projects such as roads, parking lots and home communities are straining the ability of species, habitats and natural resources to thrive. WWF works to implement a model for sustainable housing development that limits soil runoff, pollution and disruptions to the region’s natural water balance and aquatic life.

Southeastern Rivers and Streams support fund

With the financial support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company and Nissan North America, WWF's Southeastern Rivers and Streams Support Fund awards funds to local and regional watershed groups, grassroots citizen initiatives and cooperative aquatic science projects that work to protect, restore, and champion watersheds and aquatic species in the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mobile Basins.
Download the 2010 guidelines and application.