In large measure, this is because it is the only major river of West Tennessee that has never been impounded, channelized, or otherwise modified by human activity to any major degree, although several of its tributaries have.

Its environs are indicative of what much of West Tennessee must have resembled prior to the time of European settlement in early 19th century.

After a short jog into adjoining McNairy County, Tennessee, the Hatchie flows north, in a serpentine fashion, then turns northwest toward Bolivar.

While there is usually a discernible main channel, the Hatchie at this point is largely a zone of wetlands approximately one mile (1.6 km) wide.

Supposedly Bolivar was the head of navigation for small, shallow-draught steamboats in the 19th century.