SEDIMENT VOLUMES AND GROWTH RATES OF ALLUVIAL FANS DRAINING TO REELFOOT LAKE — TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY

Reelfoot Lake, located in northwestern Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky, is the largest natural lake in Tennessee. The lake, which is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a valuable economic and ecological resource to the region. The lake’s tourism industry thrives on hunting, fishing, birding, and unique cultural history. The lake was created by coseismic uplift of the Tiptonville Dome and probable subsidence of the Reelfoot Basin associated with a series of earthquakes, occurring between 1811 and 1812. This resulted in the impoundment of streams (including Reelfoot Creek) that flowed from the east through forested upland watersheds bordering the lake. However, as these uplands were cleared for agriculture, erosion increased. Eroded sediments were carried by these upland streams and deposited into the lake and surrounding landscape. Additionally, many of these streams were progressively channelized starting in the 1950’s. As a result, sediment deposition in and around the lake has further accelerated causing the formation of alluvial fans at the inlet of these streams. This study investigates the evolution of two major alluvial fans, one at the inlet of Reelfoot Creek and one at Indian Creek, from their origin to the present day. Monitoring and quantifying sediment deposition and erosion occurring on the fans over time is essential to preserving the lake’s ecological, economic, and cultural value.