Before the West Fork and East Fork Obey Rivers meet to form the scenic Dale Hollow Lake, the two rivers parallel each other as they head north down off the Cumberland Plateau onto the Highland Rim and then down into the Central Basin. In a 20 mile stretch, both rivers fall about 1000 feet.

The West Fork of the Obey River has cut a large river valley about one-half mile wide running north-south into the Cumberland Plateau. The river cascades over limestone outcrops with large sandstone boulders washed down from the surrounding mountains.

Years of rushing water have created numerous swimming holes along with Class I-III and occasionally Class IV rapids. During the summer, the West Fork Obey literally dries up and sinks into the limestone, but during the Spring or immediately after a large rainfall, the river springs into life and becomes a hotspot of activity for area canoeists, rafters, and tubers. Water levels can be manually checked at the US Geological Survey river gauge at the TN Highway 52 White Bridge crossing. Use extreme caution when entering the river during periods of high water.