The transport of heavy metals by water and bottom sediments was studied in three streams in east Tennessee. One stream is in an industrialized, urban area; a second flows over exposed carbonate rocks which contain zinc minerals; the third is in a rural, nonmineralized area. Dissolved solids, particulates, and bottom sediment were analyzed for a suite of heavy metals, principally, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Most of the heavy metal is transported in solution. The concentration of metals in the particulates (especially colloids) is very high but the amount of particulate matter is exceedingly low. The amount of heavy metals in the bottom sediment differs considerably from sample to sample. (Modified author abstract)