• Registered boats: 271,475
• Numbering: All motorboats and sailboats.
• Square Miles of Inland Water: 926
• Launch Ramps: BoatUS Ramp Locator
• For more information: (615) 781-6601
• Website: http://www.state.tn.us/twra
• Contacts: www.boatus.com/gov/states/contact.asp

Restricted Access to Local Locks and Dams

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District will hold four public meetings this month in Kentucky and Tennessee to give the public a chance to weigh in on their plans to restrict access near dams and locks on the Cumberland River.

The first meeting is set for Jan. 10 in Grand Rivers, KY; the second is to be held on Jan. 15 in Nashville, TN; the third on Jan. 17 in Baxter, TN; and the final one is scheduled for Jan. 24 in Somerset, KY.

Fishing below dams is popular at certain times of the year when some fish species, such as white bass, striped bass and sauger, migrate upstream to spawn. The dams block the fish from spawning, causing them to congregate in great numbers seeking upstream access. Catfish are also attracted to dam sites that generate electricity.

Unless changes are made to the current directives all water access within the hazardous zones will be prohibited, including boating, swimming and wading.

Hazardous zones for the dams on the Cumberland River will be marked with a buoy line barrier that will prevent access and include:

Cheatham Lock and Dam. 400 feet upstream and 1,000 feet downstream.

Old Hickory Lock and Dam. 450 feet upstream and 800 feet downstream.

Percy Priest Dam. 125 feet upstream and 600 feet downstream.

Center Hill Dam. 400 feet upstream and 700 feet downstream.

Cordell Hull Lock and Dam. 515 feet upstream and 800 feet downstream.

Dale Hollow Dam. 100 feet upstream and 500 feet downstream.

Wolf Creek Dam. 500 feet upstream and 500 feet downstream.

For more information, visit the ACOE website at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil .