The Highland Pigeon Watershed (HUC 05140202) spans over 217 square miles in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee. It is primarily a forested area with a few small urbanized areas. The watershed is characterized by steep slopes, narrow valleys, and high intensity precipitation events. The hydrology of the area is influenced by high annual rainfall and snowmelt from the mountainous terrain. The snowpack varies from year to year, but typically peaks in January and February. Surface water is abundant, and the watershed contains several small impoundments and reservoirs. The main constituents of these reservoirs are sediment and organic matter. Interesting climatic facts include high levels of summer precipitation and a relatively long growing season. Trends in the area include increasing temperatures and more frequent extreme precipitation events, which may lead to increased erosion and sedimentation.