The Tennessee River is the central component of one of the largest hydropower and irrigation systems in the world. One of the major waterways found in the southeastern United States, the river is formed via the confluence of the French Broad and Holsten Rivers. The river is located just to the east of Knoxville and continues to flow south/southwest all the way through Chattanooga, Tennessee. The river then flows west through much of the Cumberland Plateau, travelling into northeastern Alabama. The river flows through northern Alabama, turning north around the boundary of Mississippi and Alabama. The river continues to flow north, travelling through Tennessee and then through Kentucky, joining the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. The river travels a u-shaped course of about 886 miles and the drainage basin covers around 40,910 square miles.
The origin of the river's name is not known for certain, but many historians believe that the name may have originated from a Cherokee Indian village that was located on the Little Tennessee river. The river was also spelled Tennassee, Tanase, Tanasi or Tinasse. During the time of rivalry between the English and French fighting over the western territory of the Appalachians, the Tennessee river was explored. A few small forts and posts were established on the banks of the river. Prior to this, fur traders and explorers entered the lower part of the river via the Ohio River. While the Tennessee certainly served as a major route for many settlers moving Southwest, it was not used as a westward passage as settlers chose the Ohio River instead.
The river began development as a very important inland waterway in 1933 when the Tennessee Valley Authority was formed. Today, a number of resevoirs, locks and multipurpose dams allow the use of the river for power, flood control and navigation. Major dams include the Wheeler, built in 1936 in Alabama, the Fout Loudon, built in 1943 in Tennessee and the Kentucky, built in 1944. Major cities located along the river today include Knoxville and Chattanooga in Tennessee as well as Florence in Alabama.
