When you’re visiting or dwelling in Nashville and trying to get out on the water, the Cumberland River is likely one of the prime choices inside metropolis limits.
This lovely river flows proper by Nashville, creating gorgeous views and limitless recreation alternatives. Whether or not you are fishing, boating, or simply having fun with riverside walks, dwelling close to the Cumberland provides one thing particular to on a regular basis life.
Study extra to resolve whether or not a riverfront property is well worth the premium worth. Plus, uncover which riverside neighborhoods provide the finest bang on your buck. This information covers every thing it’s good to know concerning the Cumberland River—from the place to seek out it to methods to get pleasure from it.
Enjoyable Information In regards to the Cumberland River
- Central to Nashville: The Cumberland River flows by downtown Nashville and stretches 687 miles by Tennessee and Kentucky.
- Leisure Hotspot: Affords year-round actions like kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and riverboat cruises, with launch websites at Shelby Park and Cumberland Park.
- Flood Administration Infrastructure: Main dams like Wolf Creek, Dale Hole, and Barkley assist management flooding and generate energy alongside the river’s path.
- Scenic & Social Enchantment: The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge presents prime skyline views, whereas the Common Jackson Showboat hosts stay music cruises.
- Riverfront Residing Perks: Neighborhoods like Historic Edgefield and Germantown supply river entry, although patrons ought to analysis flood dangers earlier than investing.
The place Is the Cumberland River?
In search of a pure getaway with out leaving the town? The Cumberland River flows proper by the guts of Nashville, creating some of the lovely pure options in Tennessee.
The Cumberland River begins in jap Kentucky at Martins Fork. Its headwaters start close to Harlan County, and the river flows west by Kentucky earlier than curving south into Tennessee.
Downtown Nashville is on the western financial institution of the river, and East Nashville is to the east. The river then runs northwest to Clarksville earlier than crossing again into Kentucky. Lastly, it joins the Ohio River close to Smithland, Kentucky.
The Ohio River is a part of the bigger Mississippi River system, making the Cumberland an vital tributary on this large river community. This connection made the Cumberland very important for riverboat commerce within the early days when settlers trusted water transportation.
Altogether, the Cumberland stretches about 687 miles and covers a basin of roughly 18,000 sq. miles. The Cumberland River basin contains components of southern Kentucky, northern Tennessee, and a small part of southwestern Virginia.
This river isn’t simply fairly to take a look at. The Cumberland connects a few of Nashville’s finest neighborhoods, offers recreation, and provides actual worth to close by houses.
When you’re home looking in Nashville, houses with Cumberland River views or entry can command increased costs, however the life-style advantages could be price each penny.
Issues to Do on the Cumberland River
To take advantage of this pure useful resource, contemplate some methods to benefit from the Cumberland River, whether or not visiting or trying to purchase a house close by.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Paddling by the town is a very completely different technique to see Nashville.
Renting a kayak or paddleboard on the Cumberland provides you wonderful views of the skyline and Nashville’s downtown neighborhoods. The water strikes fairly slowly by the town, making it good for inexperienced persons.
A number of rental retailers function alongside the riverfront with handy touchdown factors for getting out and in of the water. Most cost round $25–$45 per hour, or $75–$90 for a full day. Some even supply guided excursions exhibiting you the perfect river spots.
A few of Nashville’s finest parks and marinas are glorious launch spots:
- Shelby Park (East Nashville)
- Cumberland Park (Downtown)
- Rock Harbor Marina (West Nashville)
Keep in mind to verify water circumstances earlier than heading out. After heavy rain, the present will get stronger and fewer predictable.
Fishing
The Cumberland River is one in all Tennessee’s finest fishing spots. The river is full of smallmouth bass, catfish, and sauger. Striped bass fishing is particularly standard beneath the Previous Hickory Dam in close by Hendersonville. Some locals have pulled 40+ pound stripers from these waters!
You will want a Tennessee fishing license, which prices about $34 for residents and $50–$100 for non-residents. You should purchase one on-line or at sporting items shops.
Finest fishing spots:
- Beneath Previous Hickory Dam
- Close to Riverfront Park
- Across the Stones River junction
The comfort of Cumberland River fishing can’t be overstated for residents, because it’s way more accessible than Nashville’s lakes. Spring and fall normally supply the perfect fishing, however you may discover individuals casting traces year-round. Early mornings and evenings are extra productive than the center of the day.
Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge Photographs
When you’re on the lookout for Instagram-worthy pictures, the pedestrian bridges crossing the Cumberland River supply a number of the finest picture spots in Nashville.
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge provides you good views of downtown Nashville and Nissan Stadium. The bridge itself makes for excellent pictures, particularly at sundown when the sunshine hits the water excellent.
For the perfect skyline pictures:
- Go to at sundown for golden hour lighting.
- Strive proper after a rain for clearer air and higher visibility.
- Come throughout particular occasions when the town lights up the bridges.
The bridge connects downtown with East Nashville, making it simple to discover each areas in at some point. It’s very free to go to and open 24/7.
Common Jackson Showboat
For a totally completely different river expertise, strive the Common Jackson Showboat. The boat is anchored close to one other one in all Nashville’s prime points of interest, the Grand Ole Opry.
This enormous paddlewheel boat presents cruises up and down the Cumberland. At 300 ft lengthy and 4 tales tall, it is one of many largest showboats within the nation.
Cruises embody stay music reveals, meals, and wonderful views of Nashville from the water. Tickets run about $45–$120 per individual, relying on whether or not you select a lunch or dinner cruise and what seating you choose.
The boat docks at Opryland, about quarter-hour from downtown Nashville. Most cruises final two to 3 hours and run year-round.
Residing Close to The Cumberland River
When you’re fascinated by shopping for property close to the Cumberland River, there are some nice advantages—and some issues to be careful for.
Houses with river views or entry sometimes promote for greater than related houses with out water options. However additionally they normally maintain their worth higher throughout market downturns.
Nonetheless, some areas close to the river have flood dangers. It is best to at all times verify flood maps earlier than shopping for, and a very good actual property agent might help you perceive which areas are safer investments.
Among the hottest riverside neighborhoods embody:
These neighborhoods mix river entry with proximity to Nashville’s finest eating places, retailers, and leisure.
Understanding the Cumberland River System
The Cumberland River system is not only one steady waterway. It contains many tributaries that feed into the principle river, making a community of flowing water all through the area.
This river system has been formed over hundreds of years. The U.S. Geological Survey has extensively studied how the Cumberland carved its path by the panorama, revealing how the river has modified course all through historical past.
French merchants first navigated these waters within the 1700s, establishing buying and selling posts alongside the banks. They rapidly acknowledged the river’s worth for transportation and commerce, a practice that continues right this moment with trendy delivery. The Cumberland continues to be very important to the Tennessee financial system.
The river flows at completely different charges relying on location, season, and rainfall. Throughout spring, the Cumberland flows extra quickly on account of rainfall and snowmelt. In summer season and fall, the circulation sometimes slows, making it higher for recreation.
River ranges can change dramatically with rainfall. The Nationwide Water Prediction Service, a part of the extra well-known Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), screens these modifications and offers forecasts to assist residents put together for potential flooding.
Cumberland River Dams
To handle flood management, the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers has constructed a number of dams alongside the Cumberland:
- Wolf Creek Dam: Positioned in Kentucky, Wolf Creek Dam creates Lake Cumberland, one of many largest artifical lakes within the nation. This dam offers flood management for communities downstream whereas producing hydroelectric energy.
- Dale Hole Dam: This dam created Dale Hole Lake, one of many finest lakes in Tennessee (situated on the Tennessee-Kentucky border). The dam helps regulate water circulation and prevents flooding in decrease areas.
- Middle Hill Dam: Positioned on the Caney Fork tributary, Middle Hill Dam helps handle water ranges and forestall flooding within the Cumberland River basin. It is one other vital piece of the flood management system.
- Barkley Dam: Close to the tip of the Cumberland, Barkley Dam works with Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River to manage flooding the place the Cumberland meets the Ohio River.
These dams work collectively as a system, with operators adjusting water launch primarily based on rainfall, river ranges, and flood danger.
Past Nashville: Cumberland Falls
Whereas many individuals affiliate the Cumberland River with Nashville, one in all its most spectacular options lies about 200 miles east. Cumberland Falls, typically known as the “Niagara of the South,” drops 68 ft and spans 125 ft throughout.
Cumberland Falls is likely one of the few locations on this planet the place you may repeatedly see a “moonbow”—a rainbow created by moonlight. This uncommon phenomenon happens throughout a full moon on clear nights.
The falls are a few four-hour drive from Nashville, making it good for a weekend getaway. The drive will take you previous a number of the finest state parks in Tennessee.
When you’re contemplating shopping for property in jap Tennessee, proximity to Cumberland Falls could possibly be a novel promoting level.
Nashville Residents Respect the Cumberland
Whether or not you are visiting for the weekend or home looking in Nashville, the Cumberland River presents recreation, views, and life-style advantages which are exhausting to match.
For homebuyers, property close to the river typically represents a strong funding so long as you do your homework on flood dangers and neighborhood improvement.
To discover riverside properties, take a look at present listings in Nashville’s hottest waterfront neighborhoods, or schedule a exhibiting to see these wonderful properties in individual.
If the alternatives of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Actual Property Group of RE/MAX Benefit with Nashville’s MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in contact with native actual property brokers who might help discover the proper Nashville house for you right this moment.
