|Cattle Pasture in Eagleville|
The Headwaters of the Harpeth River are in the Eagleville area of Rutherford County. Headwaters streams include Concord Creek, Puckett Branch, Kelley Creek, Cheatham Branch and the first several miles of the main stem of the Harpeth River. Approximately 50% of land cover in the Headwaters consists of agriculture. This region is part of the Inner Nashville Basin and has a unique ecosystem known as a cedar glade, which has characteristically shallow soils. These shallow soils, coupled with heavy agriculture, threaten the water quality and ecosystems of Headwater streams due to excessive sediment inputs, nutrient pollution, and pathogens from livestock wastes.
For over a decade, Harpeth Conservancy has taken the lead to restore Headwater streams. In 2007, Harpeth Conservancy developed the Harpeth River Headwaters Watershed Restoration Plan, which was updated in 2017. Thanks to funding from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's 319 Nonpoint Source program and support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Harpeth Conservancy has successfully implemented the restoration plan by promoting and coordinating adoption and installation of multiple agricultural BMP's (best management practices). These include:
Harpeth Conservancy has worked with a number of farmers in the Harpeth River Headwaters to install practices that are not only good for water quality, but also lead to better living conditions for the cattle.
|Exclusion fencing along Concord Creek|
|Stagnant water in a stream due to nutrient pollution|
|Riparian vegetation growing within the area of the exclusion fencing providing a buffer zone|
|Waterer as alternate watering source after exclusuion fencing installed|