• What's Up Columbia!
  • Posts
  • Duck River Partnership Explores New Tools, Old Debates in Water Planning Meeting

Duck River Partnership Explores New Tools, Old Debates in Water Planning Meeting

Issue #534

August 23, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌥️ Columbia’s Weather - Partly to mostly cloudy w/ High of 87, low of 65

📰 Duck River Partnership Explores New Tools, Old Debates in Water Planning Meeting

✈️ New Flights, Record Crowds Mark Landmark Year for BNA

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Want to see how the right shades can completely change a room? Promised Land Shades offers personalized designs, free in-home consultations, and 10% off your project with this ad.

Duck River Partnership Explores New Tools, Old Debates in Water Planning Meeting

The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership

The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, created under Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 108, met last week at the Farm Bureau of Tennessee headquarters in Columbia to review the state of the river and discuss strategies for managing future water needs.

Committee members, representing communities from Manchester to Maury County, heard updates from state agencies and conservation groups on issues ranging from drinking water availability to conservation technology.

Much of the discussion centered on how to use digital mapping and data platforms to better communicate river conditions to the public. Tools like ESRI’s ARC-GIS mapping hub and the Army Corps of Engineers’ HEC-RAS river modeling system are being applied to visualize water levels, create maps, and share information across agencies. Conservation specialists noted that this approach allows even complex data to be translated into intuitive graphics and story maps, making it easier for both experts and residents to understand the river’s challenges.

The Planning Partnership’s new website already reflects some of this work, offering interactive maps, data from agencies like TVA and TDEC, and opportunities for the public to provide feedback through an online survey open until Oct. 15. The Duck River Agency has also begun digitizing 30 years of historic records, making them publicly accessible alongside real-time monitoring of effluent releases, water intake levels, and conditions at the Normandy Dam.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) presented strategies to reduce demand on the Duck River. These include reusing “gray water” for irrigation or industrial purposes, requiring new developments to install recycled water systems, and strengthening drought management plans. Memphis is already moving forward with a large-scale project that would recycle 13 million gallons of treated wastewater daily to cool a data center, a model state officials believe could inform future efforts elsewhere.

TDEC also confirmed approvals for expanded water intake infrastructure in Maury County, including a new valve at Williamsport that could draw up to 12 million gallons per day. Spring Hill is also expected to receive a permit for its own intake line soon, while Maury County Water Systems pursues an inter-basin transfer project to bring in water from the Harpeth River.

The most contentious part of the meeting came during public comment, where residents and officials debated how best to secure water for a growing population. Proposals included expanding the Normandy Dam, pursuing a pipeline to the Cumberland River, and even building a new dam near Columbia.

Supporters of a new dam argued it would provide reliable water, flood control, and recreational opportunities. Opponents countered that it would destroy dozens of miles of river, harm local ecosystems, and repeat past mistakes of eminent domain and unfinished projects. Conservation advocates emphasized that Middle Tennessee’s rapid growth is already straining resources, and warned that without timely solutions, shortages could soon become a reality.

The meeting closed with an acknowledgment that there is no single, easy answer. Agencies, utilities, and local communities will need to work together to balance conservation with growing demand, while preserving one of Tennessee’s most important natural resources.

👉 Fill out the Duck River Watershed Community Survey - this survey asks 19 simple anonymous questions that will help shape the Partnership’s initial report to the Governor, due in November 2025, and guide long-term strategies to ensure a resilient and well-managed watershed for future generations.

New Flights, Record Crowds Mark Landmark Year for BNA

Nashville International Airport closed out its latest fiscal year with record-breaking passenger traffic, new airline partnerships, and national recognition that underscored its rapid growth.

The airport served 24.7 million travelers over the year, a 4.2% increase compared to the year before, setting an all-time high for BNA.

June 2025 was the busiest month in the airport’s history, with more than 2.4 million passengers departing from Nashville. June 22 alone became the single busiest day ever, with 110,000 travelers moving through the terminal and more than 48,000 passing through security checkpoints.

The airport also marked a milestone in international service. Within one week last fall, BNA announced two new international partnerships—followed this spring by the launch of transatlantic flights just two days apart. Icelandair began service on April 10, and Aer Lingus followed on April 12, expanding options for Middle Tennessee travelers heading to Europe.

By July 2025, BNA offered nonstop service to 113 destinations, the largest network in its history. That number grew again at the start of the new fiscal year, with an additional route added on August 5, raising the total to 114 nonstop destinations.

Airport officials say the momentum reflects years of planning and investment in infrastructure, as well as a growing demand from both business and leisure travelers choosing Nashville as a hub.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, August 23rd

Sunday, August 24th

More Events Coming Soon!

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 
Sept 5-14: Nashville Fair 
Sept 9-13: Americana Fest (Nashville)
Sept 16: Breakfast with the Mayors
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, August 23rd

Sean Carson, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Martin Lane, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Rett Stocstill, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Music on the Porch, 600 N Main St, Mt Pleasant TN, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Summer Series, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Mighty Trainwrecks, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
McCartney Forever, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Laura Drake, The Boondox, 8:00 PM 
Broke by Monday, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 24th

Bronwen Fair, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Shannon (Jill FM), Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk