Richland Creek (Nashville, Tennessee)

Richland Creek
Richland Creek near Belle Meade Boulevard, Nashville, 2020
Location
CountryDavidson County, Tennessee, United States
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Cumberland River
 • coordinates
36°09′51″N 86°53′17″W / 36.1641°N 86.8880°W / 36.1641; -86.8880
 • elevation
385 feet (117 m)
Length28 mi (45 km)
Basin size17,712 acres (27.675 mi2)

Richland Creek is a stream on the west side of Nashville, Tennessee, formed by nine tributaries flowing north to the Cumberland River. Draining some 28 square miles (73 km2) via 24 miles (39 km) of streams, its watershed includes the suburban cities of Belle Meade and Forest Hills. It is among the most urbanized in the Cumberland River basin.

Once heavily polluted by industrial and municipal discharges, Richland has seen major restoration since 2009 but remains on the state’s list of impaired waterbodies. Severe flooding in 2010 caused fatalities along its course and inundated a nearby quarry. The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance, founded in 2007, advocates for its protection.