The South Fork Forked Deer River flows through west Tennessee, serving as the main drainage of the central portion of West Tennessee. This river system is characterized by typical bottomland hardwood and wetland habitats, with some agricultural lands found near the river. Historically, much of the Forked Deer basin contained wetlands used by Native Americans and early settlers as hunting and fishing grounds. However, over time, much of this area has been drained, and most tributaries have been channelized, which has impacted aquatic habitat structure, riparian vegetation, and water quality. Despite these changes, the bottomland hardwood and wetland areas along the South Fork Forked Deer River remain some of Tennessee's richest in biological diversity, with over 160 species documented in the area.