Abbott, Tom M. Effects of coal and oil mining activities and sewage effluents on the aquatic fauna: water quality survey of the Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee. "This is a complementary report to the biological inventory assessment conducted in the Obed-Emory Watershed.  The original assessment was of benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and amphibian communities.  The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the aquatic fauna and (2) identify areas having degraded water quality.  Eleven stations were sampled quarterly, and 16 additional stations were surveyed once to further characterize the watershed.  Results of this study showed varying degrees of water quality problems in all major tributaries in the Obed-Emory Watershed."

Ahlstedt, S.A., and Bakaletz, S.  (2005).  Assessment of freshwater mussel populations in Clear Creek, Tennessee (Emory-Obed River System) following an oil well fire and resulting spill.  Following an oil well fire that released oil and paraffin into Clear and lower White's creeks, upstream from Barnett Bridge, researchers conducted a study to determine "qualitatively and quantitatively if there were any effects on mussel populations from the oil spill and long-term effects from oil that continued to seep from the banks of the creek and stream bed."  Researchers were aware of the importance of preserving the water quality within the Obed Wild and Scenic River system to protect the threatened and endangered species found there.  

Ahlstedt, S.A., Connell, J.F., Bakaletz, S., and Fagg, M.T.  Freshwater mussels of the National Park Service's Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  This report outlines a study in which freshwater mussels were sampled to "determine species composition, abundance, and whether reproduction/recruitment was occurring to the fauna."  Nine different mussel species, including 585 individual specimens, were found at the access points at the upper Emory River, Daddy's Creek, Clear Creek, and White's Creek.  

Alliance of the Cumberlands.  Member groups.  The document lists the members of the Alliance of the Cumberlands.

The East Carolina University AFS Student Subunit of the American Fisheries Society. The Fifth Annual Student Colloquium.  This document briefly describes how human influence in the area surrounding the Emory River Watershed affects ecosystems within the watershed.

Campbell, K.R., Ford, C.J., and Levine, D.A.  Mercury distribution in Poplar Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA.  In this article, the Emory River Watershed is a reference for measuring daily average water flow rates for Poplar Creek, where no water flow gauging station was being maintained at the time the article was written.

Clean Water Act status:  Emory Watershed.  The report ranks the Emory Watershed in terms of percent of surface waters with impaired or threatened uses and number of impaired water bodies. It also scores the Emory on the basis of compliance with the 1998 Clean Water Act and lists the percent of report problems.

Cook, R.B., Suter, II, G.W., and Sain, E.R.  Ecological risk assessment in a large river-reservoir:  1. Introduction and background.  This article mentions the lacustrine conditions found downstream from the Emory River.  The main focus of the article is a 1989 U.S. Department of Energy study on the Clinch River/Poplar Creek system Superfund Site.  The researchers evaluate the “nature and extent of contamination, while also performing an ecological and human health risk assessment and evaluating possible remedial alternatives.”

Crooked Fork, TN.  This document describes rafting conditions on Crooked Fork, which is a tributary of the Emory River.

Emory River Watershed Development Association and TVA.  Emory River Valley:  Summary of resources.  This summary was compiled by the people of the Emory River Valley, with the help of TVA and other state agencies, to help plan the best use of the region's resources by evaluating their present economic development condition and future growth.  

Goodfred, D.W.  Characterization of benthic macroinvertebrate communities within the Emory River Watershed, Tennessee.  “Sedimentation resulting from natural and anthropogenic effects is a primary concern within the Emory River Watershed (ERW). Mining, logging, and agricultural practices, as well as urban development, occur within the ERW, and these practices generate excess sediment that can negatively influence lotic ecosystems and their resident fauna.  Macroinvertebrate communities are directly affected by sedimentation, and any streambed alteration from deposited sediment has substantial effects upon these communities.  Reductions in invertebrate abundance, density, and diversity are common with increased sediment loads. Samples were collected at 57 sites throughout the ERW using semi-quantitative (SQKICK) techniques.  Biotic index scores will be determined for all sites.  Eight additional sites were similarly sampled on a quarterly basis, and habitat variables will be evaluated to determine their influence on the benthic communities.  The objectives of this study are (1) to determine how habitat conditions and land use practices within the ERW influence benthic macroinvertebrate communities and (2) to evaluate seasonal variation in benthic communities at select locations.”

Goonetilleke, A., Thomas, E., Ginn, S., and Gilbert, D.  Understanding the role of land use in urban stormwater quality management.  This article presents the results of a research study that looked at the "relationships between water quality and six different land uses."  The paper offers "practical guidance in the planning of future urban developments."

Goss, S.  The Emory River Watershed (including the Obed).  The newsletter article includes sections titled “TCWP Spearheads Land Purchase on Lower Clear Creek”, “Water Supply Project in Cumberland County Region is Under Way”, “Total Maximum Daily Load Limits Promulgated for Emory Watershed”, “Stakeholders Discuss Emory River Watershed,” and “TCWP Participates in Obed Cleanup.”  The article also describes how several regions within the Emory River Watershed are included on Tennessee’s 303(d) list because of siltation and habitat alteration.   

Harriman, Tennessee, micropolitan area.  The site describes the paddling conditions of certain sites, including the Emory and Obed Rivers.

Harriman Utility Board.  Source water assessment—surface water.  The document describes the susceptibility of the Harriman Utility Board’s surface water intake, which is located within the Emory River Watershed.    

Hornyhead Branch restoration project.  The document attributes the Emory River Watershed Association as one of the sponsors of the Hornyhead Branch Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Project.  It also outlines the need for and specific objectives of the project.  

Howard/White Unit No. 1 oil spill NRDA Obed Wild and Scenic River, Morgan County, Tennessee. This report outlines the effects of the July 2002 oil spill in Morgan County and the fire that ensued as a result of the spill.

Law, G.S.  Hydrologic analysis of the Obed River Watershed, Cumberland Plateau physiographic province, Tennessee.  This document describes a project in which rainfall and streamflow information in the Obed River watershed were analyzed to determine the effects that geology and impoundments "might be having on streamflow quantity from the watershed."

Martin, P.H., Leboeuf, E.J., Dobbins, J.P., Daniel, E.B., and Abkowitz, M.D.  Interfacing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with water resources models: A state-of-the-art review.  This paper examines the various methods for interfacing GIS and predictive water models.  "Emphasis is placed on discussing limitations to efficient interfacing and potential future directions."  

Mayfield, M.W.  An examination of the anomalous runoff regime of the Obed-Emory basin of the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee.  This author describes the "streamflow regime of the Obed-Emory system" and uses "Thornthwaite's water budget to show input, depletion, and outflow of water from the basin.  Streamflow characteristics and basin characteristics of the study area are compared to those of two other basins to emphasize the peculiarity of the study basin."

Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia. Watershed information.  This document contains a list of watersheds in Tennessee with links to more information regarding each watershed.

Morgan, A., Branfireun, B., and Csillag, F.  An evaluation of the contributions of urbanization and climatic change to runoff characteristics in the Laurel Creek Watershed, Ontario.  This article describes a study of the Laurel Creek Watershed in Waterloo, Ontario, between 1950 and 2000 that looked at the "hydrological consequences of urban growth and expansion of impervious surface area" in that region.

MS 0828:  The Tennessee Valley Authority reports, 1933-1973.  The page outlines reports available from the Tennessee Valley Authority on forest and other property purchases, and it also lists documents available on the watershed resources of selected regions.

Nantahala Outdoor Center. River flow data for all available rivers.  This document provides information regarding the flow of rivers.

National Parks Directory. Obed Wild and Scenic River – Tennessee.  This document provides information on the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park.

National Park Service.  Obed National Wild and Scenic River.  This document describes the soil quality, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and physiography of the river.

The Nature Conservancy.  Obed River at Lilly Bridge.  The document briefly describes the Obed Wild and Scenic River’s landscape and when it was added to the National Park Service.

NPS Air Resources Division. Air quality monitoring considerations for the Appalachian Highlands network.  This document includes a brief report on samples retrieved from rivers in the Emory River Watershed.  

Obed/Emory River Watershed testing Paddle Fest April 6-8, 2001.  The document describes how volunteers gathered water quality samples from rivers and creeks within the Obed/Emory River Watershed.  Parameters tested included ammonia, conductivity, pH, and fecal coliform.

Obed River—Adams Bridge to Emory River whitewater river e-guidebook.  This document provides whitewater travel information, including difficulty rankings, gradient, and run length, for the section from Adams Bridge to the Emory River confluence.

Obed Wild and Scenic River campground.  The page describes the evolution of the Obed National Wild and Scenic River from simply a protected recreation area to a thriving camper’s destination.   

Obed Wild and Scenic River land acquisition plan.  (1980).  This report details the action taken from the 1976 amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.  This amendment "authorized the addition of a portion of the Obed River and of sections of Clear Creek, Daddy's Creek, and the Emory River to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system."

Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee. Development plan and stream classification.  This report outlines how the Obed Wild and Scenic River would be developed according to the requirements of Public Law 90-542, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, amended by Public Law 94-486, Sec. 301-Obed.  

Ostermeier, D., Fly, M., Muth, A., Pavey, J., and Steiner, M.  Reluctant landowners:  opening the door to collaborative forestry.  This paper describes efforts toward collaborative forestry in two watersheds, one of which is the Emory-Obed, in Tennessee.  The document also provides a brief sketch of the type of forests that comprise the Emory Watershed, who owns the land, some of the sources of land impacts, and a few of the amenities that attract people to the area.  Landowners and other stakeholders were interviewed in the project, and it was discovered that their viewpoints on forestry practices differed greatly.  One problem found in the Emory Watershed was the lack of civic capital in the region.  

Parsons, J.W., and Benson, N.G.  Fertilization of Obed River, Tennessee.  This paper describes the study of the Obed River as a site for commercial fertilizers to be added to increase the fish population and compensate for losses of stream fisheries.  The management of the fishery in that region was described and evaluated.

Pennington and Associates.  (n.d.).  A survey of the Periphyton Community, Clear Creek, Tennessee.  This report outlines a project contracted by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), to survey the "periphyton communities at three locations in Clear Creek, which is located in the Obed Wild and Scenic River Watershed, Morgan County, Tennessee.  The study was initiated at the request of the NPS in response to a crude oil spill in late July 2002, into Clear Creek upstream of its confluence with White Creek.  The study period was from October 23 through December 10, 2002."   

Riddle, J.W., Jr.  Status of the native muskellunge, Esox masquinongy ohioensis, of the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee.  The thesis author describes the condition of the muskellunge population as found in a study of the watersheds of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and the Emory River.  The research showed that muskellunge populations had suffered from pollution from surface mined coal, but "limited populations remained in areas where habitat remains suitable."  The thesis also provides recommendations for muskellunge management.  

Sasser, M.A.  Indicator bacteria levels in the waters of two east Tennessee watersheds.  The author of this thesis describes a sampling project conducted in Pond Creek and the Crooked Fork-Emory Watersheds.  Both watersheds were compared for the amount of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and Enterococci.  The analysis showed that indicator bacteria "exceeded ecoregion reference stream and Tennessee General Water Quality Criteria in Pond Creek at most sampling sites on most sampling dates" and indicator bacteria levels "in Crooked Fork-Emory exceeded ecoregion reference stream and Tennessee General Water Quality Criteria at some sites on some sampling dates."  

Schmalzer, P.A.  Vegetation of the Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee, and a comparison of reciprocal averaging ordination and binary discriminant analysis.  The author of this thesis describes his research project in which the Obed Wild and Scenic River was sampled.  Ten plant types were classified, and binary discriminant analysis was evaluated in this research.  

Shekaranand, G.S.  Flood control on the Emory.  The author of this thesis explores flood control on the Emory River from an engineering standpoint.  He says that there are two ways of dealing with flood control:  either from a stream perspective, ignoring the monetary cost, or from the investment perspective of how much money can be made.  The second viewpoint adheres to the principal that a project should not be invested in, no matter how beneficial it is, unless it will provide a monetary return.  The student hoped that flood control studies in the United States could be used to help people in India with their flooding problems.

Smith, M. Destinations: Paddling Tennessee’s Obed/Emory Watershed, Lower Island Creek.  The document is an excerpt from A Paddler’s Guide to the Obed/Emory Watershed, written by Monte Smith and published by Menasha Ridge Press.  The author describes this region’s natural characteristics through his personal experience paddling the rivers.   

Southeast Watershed Forum.  Southeast directory.  This site lists various watershed organizations within Tennessee, as well as information on their age, type, budget, and funding source.

Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society 2006 Spring Meeting program.  The program lists two presentations made about the Emory River Watershed.  The first was titled “Fish Communities of the Emory River Watershed with Emphasis on Current Distribution and Seasonal Habitat Use of Spotfin Chub” and was authored by W. Russ and S.B. Cook.  The second was titled “Characterization of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities within the Emory River Watershed” and was authored by D. Goodfred and S.B. Cook.  

Speir, H.J.  Comparison of rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque) populations in Obed River and Spring Creek, Tennessee.  The thesis describes a study in which rock bass from the Obed River and Spring Creek, Tennessee, were compared based on characteristics like length, weight and type of organisms they ate.  The water bodies themselves were compared based on species composition and number and volume of bottom organisms per square foot.  

Stedman, S., and B. Stedman.  Notes on the birds of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the Obed River National Wild and Scenic River.  The document describes the "status of the 170 species of birds found within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the Obed River National Wild and Scenic River, including the abundance, dates when they were found and maximum numbers.  The scenic sites within each of the parks are also detailed."

Step Into Places Guide. Step into places guide, parks, Tennessee.  This report describes parks in Tennessee and also provides additional links to the parks and contact information.  

Summerlin, V., and Summerlin, C.  Longstreet highroad guide to the Tennessee Mountains.  The document provides a river-traveler’s guide to the terrain and maneuverability of the Obed Wild and Scenic River systems.

TDEC will discuss Nonconnah watershed.  The Daily News.  The Emory Watershed was included in the 1996 TDEC planning cycle, along with the Nonconnah watershed and several others, during which a watershed water quality management plan for the region would be developed.  

Tennessee Chapter of the American Fisheries Society newsletter.  The newsletter mentions that biologist S. Brad Cook and his students are studying spotfin chub within the Emory River Watershed.  

Tennessee Clean Water Network.  Protecting watersheds, fostering communities:  The human-land-water connection.  The document briefly describes the environmental significance of the Emory River Watershed, the threats to the region from detrimental land uses, and the plans to provide for its future sustainability.

Tennessee Paddle.  The crooked fork of the Emory River.  The document gives instructions on the best route down the Crooked Fork of the Emory River. It also briefly describes the river’s condition.

Tennessee Paddle. Our goal is conservation. This document describes Tennessee Paddle’s goals for conserving the Obed River and Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park. It also briefly describes the river’s condition.

Tennessee Valley Authority.  2005 operational report to Congress.  The document briefly mentions the development of a Watershed Restoration Project for Crab Orchard Creek.

Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation/Division of Water Pollution Control, and Emory River Watershed Association.  Crab Orchard Creek Watershed restoration plan.  This document was created to “guide the Crab Orchard Creek Restoration Partnership’s efforts to restore Crab Orchard Creek and its tributaries to fully support all of their designated uses, and protect public health and well being by reclaiming priority, abandoned mine land.  This restoration plan follows Fiscal Year 2004 EPA Section 319 Watershed Plan guidelines and addresses each of the nine required components.”

Trapper Arne’s unique crayfish page:  catch crayfish with traps from Trapper Arne.  This page lists the states where Trapper Arne has heard that crayfish can be found.    

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.  WRP ranking appendix for 2006-2007.  The document lists sites classified, based on the 2006-2007 Wetland Reserve Program Environmental Ranking Criteria, as habitats occupied by federal- or state-listed threatened or endangered species and regions where “restoration would enhance protection” of those species.  The Emory River floodplain was included in the list.

University of Vermont. Safety Archives.  This report describes safety issues concerning the environment. It includes one story regarding the Emory River and a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Upchurch, L.  Tom McDonough retires after more than 30 years with TVA.  The article speaks of Tom McDonough’s retirement and his crucial involvement in establishing the Emory River Watershed Association and other organizations and coalitions.

U.S. Department of the Interior.  (1981).  Proposed Obed National Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  Draft Environmental Statement.  This report outlines the action taken on the section "of 100 miles of the Obed River, Clear Creek, Daddy's Creek, and the Emory River in Cumberland, Fentress, and Morgan counties as components of the National Wild and Scenic River system, authorized by Public Law 90-542."

U.S. Department of the Interior.  (1978).  Obed National Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  Addendum to the Final Environmental Statement.  This report outlines "additional information on three proposals in the Final Environmental Statement on the establishment of an Obed National Wild and Scenic River."

U.S. Department of the Interior.  (1978).  Statement for management.  Obed Wild and Scenic River.  This report outlines how "a portion of the Obed River, sections of Clear and Daddy's creeks, and a short section of the Emory River, were added to the Wild and Scenic River System"  and how these sections would be managed as a result of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Public Law 90-542.

U.S. Department of the Interior.  (1974).  Proposed Obed National Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  This report is a draft environmental statement that describes proposed federal action to protect the natural resources of the 100 miles of the Obed River, Clear Creek, Daddy's Creek, and the Emory River in Cumberland, Fentress, and Morgan counties.

U.S. Department of the Interior.  (1972).  Proposed Obed National Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  This report is a draft environmental statement that describes the action taken within the "98 miles of the Obed River and its two chief tributaries, Clear Creek and Daddy's Creek."

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.  (1994, August).  Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee.  General management plan, development concept plan, environmental impact statement.  This report outlines the plan prepared for the "Obed Wild and Scenic River (Obed WSR) pursuant to the National Parks and Recreation Act, P.L. 95-625, and NPS policy to provide for the protection of Obed WSR values and address resource management and visitor use."  The plan was "prepared in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and with public and agency involvement," and guides "management of the Obed WSR for approximately the next 10 to 15 years."  

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Listed water information.  This site lists, for the 1998 cycle, the state impairments and potential sources within the Emory Watershed, specifically the Clinch River.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Total maximum daily loads.  The document lists impairments found in the Emory River Arm of the Watts Bar Reservoir.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  National assessment database:  Assessment data for Tennessee, Emory Watershed, Year 2002.  The database is a report on the various water bodies within the Emory Watershed and outlines certain features of those water bodies, including location, water type, size, and status, and impairments and possible sources of those.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Tennessee list of impaired waters for 1998.  This report lists watersheds by name and also provides the HUC, ID, water body, parameter of concern, priority for TMDL development, and potential sources of impairment.  It also answers the question: “Is the waterbody targeted for TMDL development before the year April, 2000?”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.  Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants:  establishment of a nonessential experimental population for two fishes (boulder darter and spotfin chub) in Shoal Creek, Tennessee and Alabama.  This report describes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts at reintroducing the boulder darter, a federally listed endangered fish, and the spotfin chub, a federally listed threatened fish, into Shoal Creek.  The report mentions that the Emory River system is only one of four where the spotfin chub currently exists.   

U.S. Geological Survey.  USGS 03540500 Emory River at Oakdale, TN.  The document provides gauge height and discharge values for a particular time in the Emory River at Oakdale region.

U.S. Geological Survey.  Tennessee River Basin:  03539600 Daddys Creek near Hebbertsburg, TN.  This site is a graph showing the discharge in cubic feet per second of the river from Oct. 2004 to Sept. 2005.

Walker, G., Parisher, E., Smith, P., Whitlock, D., Kramer, D., Matthes, U., and Morefield, L.  Characterization of plant community structure and abiotic conditions on climbed and unclimbed cliff faces in the Obed River Gorge.  This report describes a study in which the plants on cliff faces in the Obed River Gorge in Tennessee were sampled to determine what accounted for "variation in the vegetation."  

Wildernet.  Tennessee rivers.  The site describes outdoor activities within the Obed Wild and Scenic River and also sells guidebooks and maps of the region.  A brief description of the rivers making up the region and geological features are also provided.

Williams, C.E., Bivens, R.D., and Carter, B.D.  (2003, May).  A crayfish survey on Clear Creek, Morgan County, Tennessee.  This report outlines a survey done by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and National Park Service to "evaluate the epigean (inhabitant of surface water) crayfish population in response to an oil spill into Clear and White creeks in 2002."  Crayfish were also collected for tissue contamination analysis.  Three sites on Clear Creek in Morgan County were studied.

Wolfe, W.J.  Geomorphology and vegetation of alluvial bars along the Obed Wild and Scenic River.  This report describes a project initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service to understand the "distribution, morphology, composition, stability, and vegetation structure of alluvial bars along the Obed Wild and Scenic River."

Young, J.L.  Hydrologic interpretation of water quality data for the Emory and French Broad Rivers.  The thesis examines--through various hydrologic analysis, both graphical and statistical, techniques--the water quality data collected from sampling stations on the major tributaries of the Tennessee River Basin.  Sampling strategies themselves are also expounded upon and described.