Cumberland River not likely to freeze despite frigid temperature - WKRN News 2

Cumberland River not likely to freeze despite frigid temperatures

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With the frigid temperatures lingering in Middle Tennessee and causing ponds and fountains to freeze, many viewers are wondering if it is possible for the Cumberland River to freeze over.

The last time the Cumberland froze over due to cold temperatures was 74 years ago, in 1940.

In the 1950s, the Cumberland dam system was set up to help keep a current running in the river. That current prevents the main channel from freezing over.

However, along Old Hickory Lake, the Cumberland upstream of Old Hickory Dam, the coves and creeks off of the main channel often freeze, as many have done this year.

Drakes Creek, which runs into Hendersonville and is not on the main channel, has frozen from one side to the other many times.  

In the mid-70s, people walked across the creek and even drove vehicles on the ice.

One other famous time when the Cumberland was frozen over was in 1799, when James Robertson crossed the river on foot to settle at Fort Nashboro, which eventually became Music City.

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