Which is/are your favorite major river(s) in Tennessee? Least favorite(s)? (yard)

[Sun Belt-lover L.A.M.]

Major rivers, to me, are the longest ten rivers in each state. As some are bound to be multi-state, this means there are well under 500 major rivers nationwide if such a definition is used.

For Tennessee...
1: Mississippi River, 2,320mi/3,730km
2: Cumberland River, 688mi/1,107km
3: Tennessee River, 652mi/1,049km
4: Clinch River, 300mi/480km
5: Duck River, 284mi/457km
6: Hatchie River, 238mi/383km
7: French Broad River, 213mi/343km
8: Elk River, 195mi/314km
9: Hiwassee River, 147mi/237km
10: Caney Fork River, 143mi/230km
BONUS FACT: The Duck is the longest river that is entirely within Tennessee.

My favorite is the mighty Mississippi. It is quite literally a grand, colossal river! The Cumberland isn't far behind because it runs through Nashville, and scenery on the Caney Fork is a huge bonus.

I can't really decide on a least favorite, though...

[Bamaman1]

The Mississippi River is one big mud pit, and it takes 800 miles on the river to make it to New Orleans, 400 miles to the south. There's only about 2 places on the river to get fuel in that 800 miles too.

Many of the rivers mentioned are "wild" or almost oversized creeks.

The real river is the Tennessee River, and it's watershed is in 6 states. With 650 miles of navigable water, it's the #1 best cruising river in the U.S., bar none. And the farther east you go, it just gets more beautiful

I came across Wheeler Dam last night, and they had a bunch of spillways running wide open. I think Wilson Dam's also got a bunch of spillways open. When they're dumping water downstream, it's 1.2 million gallons per second. And I've seen those spillways open for a month at a time. That's water coming out of the Smokey Mountains that's got to go somewhere from heavy rains.

I'm fortunate to have the Tennessee River in my front yard--50' from my front door. Fishing's also great.

[An Einnseanair]

Depends on your interests. If boating, then I agree with Bamaman1 with all the lakes and navigable connections (Ohio, Cumberland, Tenn-Tom Waterway, various other tributaries) on the Tennessee.

My personal favorite would be the Hiwassee with the mild rafting, fishing, and scenery. But someday I'm going to get around to canoeing on the Elk, so that opinion may change.