Exceptional Tennessee Waters

The Exceptional Tennessee Waters (ETW) designation identifies streams and waterbodies that have outstanding ecological or recreational value in Tennessee. They receive heightened protection to preserve water quality and habitat.

Use the map to select an ETW feature and view details on how these waters are protected and used. For official ETW information, visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation: TDEC Exceptional Tennessee Waters.

ETW Criteria and Uses

These waters are surface waters, other than wet weather conveyances, that fall into at least one of the following categories:

  1. Waters within state or national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, wilderness areas, or natural areas;
  2. State scenic rivers or federal Wild and Scenic Rivers;
  3. Federally-designated critical habitat or other waters with documented non-experimental populations of State or federally-listed threatened or endangered aquatic or semi-aquatic plants or animals;
  4. Waters within areas designated as Lands Unsuitable for Mining pursuant to the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act where such designation is based in whole or in part on impacts to water resource values;
  5. Waters with naturally reproducing trout;
  6. Waters with exceptional biological diversity as evidenced by a score of 40 or 42 on the Tennessee Macroinvertebrate Index using protocols found in the Department's 2021 Quality System Standard Operating Procedure for Macroinvertebrate Stream Surveys, provided that the sample is considered representative of overall stream conditions; or
  7. Other waters with outstanding ecological, or recreational value as determined by the Department. When application of this provision is a result of a request for a permit, such preliminary determination is to be made within 30 days of receipt of a complete permit application.

Uses:

  • Regulatory protection and stricter discharge limits
  • Prioritizing conservation and restoration
  • Informing planning, permitting, and public awareness