Class II Pastoral State Scenic River: Tennessee Legislation Enacted Classifying Duck River and Certain Tributaries
May 13, 2026
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed legislation last week designating the Duck River and some of its tributaries as a Class II Pastoral State Scenic River.
The designation was accomplished by amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-13-104.
The Duck River travels 269 miles through Middle Tennessee.
The Nature Conservancy has stated that it supports an estimated 150,000 anglers, kayakers, canoers, and boaters. Further, the organization states that it serves as the sole water source for 250,000 people living in Middle Tennessee.
The river is stated to support 60 freshwater mussel species and 22 species of aquatic snails. A number of these species are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. In terms of fish variety, it is stated to have a greater diversity than any other river in North America.
A copy of the legislation designating the Duck River can be found here.
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