Boat Ramps At Tva: Open Or Closed?

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides public access to boat ramps and recreation areas on the Tennessee River watershed. TVA's goal is to protect the shoreline of the Tennessee River while also supporting recreational access to the water. In June 2024, TVA temporarily closed one of two boat ramps off Minga Road near Boone Dam for equipment removal. However, TVA has also been involved in opening new boat ramps, such as the Sugar Hollow Access Area on Boone Lake in 2019. An interactive recreation map is available on TVA's website, showing every boat launch and recreation area on their public lands.

TVA Recreation Map shows the location of boat ramps

The TVA Recreation Map is an interactive map that shows the location of boat ramps and recreation areas on TVA public lands surrounding the Tennessee River watershed. The map is designed to help users find a suitable spot to launch their boats and enjoy the surrounding environment.

The map offers a variety of base maps, allowing users to select the most relevant information for their navigation needs. Developed recreation areas, such as parks or playgrounds, are shaded in light green, making them easily identifiable. Users can click and drag the map to navigate to their desired locations.

To locate specific features like boat ramps, stream access points, or recreation area entrances, users can utilise the zoom function by clicking the plus/minus icons. This allows them to focus on their chosen area and identify the recreational amenities available. Once users have found their desired feature, they can click on it to access additional information, including driving directions, making it convenient for planning their journey.

The TVA Recreation Map is a valuable tool for anyone seeking to explore the Tennessee River watershed and its surroundings. By providing detailed information about boat launches and recreation areas, the map empowers users to make informed decisions about their leisure activities and navigate to their chosen destinations with ease. Whether one is planning a boating trip or simply looking for a place to rest for the night, the TVA Recreation Map serves as a comprehensive guide to the recreational opportunities offered by TVA public lands.

TVA and TWRA opened a new ramp at Boone Lake in 2019

On Friday, April 18, 2019, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) opened a new boat ramp at Boone Lake. The new access ramp, located off Devault Bridge Road in Piney Flats, Tennessee, was named the Sugar Hollow Access Area. This new ramp provided a second usable boat ramp for Boone Lake, as the boat ramp at Pickens Bridge had been the only one in use since the lake's levels were lowered to winter pool in October 2014.

The addition of the Sugar Hollow Access Area was part of TVA's efforts to improve recreational access to the lake during the Boone Dam repair project. TVA's director of natural resources, Bucky Edmondson, acknowledged the limitations that lowered lake levels had placed on fishermen, skiers, and boaters, and expressed hope that the new ramp would enhance accessibility. TWRA's regional manager of Region 4, John Gregory, also emphasized the importance of the new access area for recreational users of the lake.

The Boone Dam repair project involved addressing seepage issues and strengthening the stability of the earthen embankment. To ensure the safety of the downstream public, lake levels were kept at a lower range during the construction process, which was expected to continue until at least 2020. TVA planned to gradually raise the lake levels after the completion of repairs, with a target date of returning to the normal operating guide curve by July 2022.

In addition to the new boat ramp at Devault Bridge Road, TVA also constructed a new swim beach and boat ramp near Boone Dam on Minga Road. These improvements aimed to enhance recreational opportunities for the community and mitigate the impact of lowered lake levels during the dam repair project.

TVA temporarily closed a boat ramp near Boone Dam in June 2024

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced the temporary closure of one of the two boat ramps off Minga Road near Boone Dam in June 2024. The lower access ramp was closed for two days, with the lower parking lot also roped off to prevent access. However, the road through the parking lot remained open for vehicles.

The TVA communicated that the closure was necessary to allow workers to disassemble equipment, specifically a caisson used for spillway gate testing. During this time, the upper access boat ramp, located further from Minga Road, remained open and accessible for parking in the upper lot.

This temporary closure ensured the safety of boaters and visitors to the Boone Dam area while the necessary equipment removal was carried out. It is important for the TVA to prioritize such maintenance activities to maintain the functionality and safety of the boat ramps and surrounding facilities.

While the closure may have caused a temporary inconvenience for boaters, the swift completion of the work demonstrates the TVA's commitment to efficient management and the safe enjoyment of the Tennessee River watershed for all recreational users.

The Tennessee Valley Authority announced the closure

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced the closure of one of two boat ramps off Minga Road near Boone Dam. The lower access ramp was closed on Thursday and Friday, with the lower parking lot also roped off to prevent access. However, the road through the parking lot remained open. The closure was necessary for workers to disassemble equipment, including a caisson used for spillway gate testing. During this time, the upper access boat ramp further from Minga Road stayed open, and parking was still available in the upper parking lot.

This temporary closure near Boone Dam is not the first time TVA has had to close a boat ramp. In 2014, the Pickens Bridge boat ramp on Boone Lake was the only usable ramp after the lake levels were lowered to the winter pool. Dam repairs were underway, and the lake levels were not expected to be raised until the repairs were completed, which was anticipated to take until at least 2020.

In 2019, TVA and TWRA officially opened a new Boone Lake boat ramp on Devault Bridge Road, named the Sugar Hollow Access Area. This provided a second usable boat ramp for the lake. The new ramp was established with the construction of a new boat ramp and swim beach, which was completed before the summer season.

While TVA aims to support recreational access to the Tennessee River watershed, there are times when closures are necessary for maintenance and safety. The closure of the boat ramp near Boone Dam is a temporary measure to facilitate equipment disassembly, with alternative access points remaining open for recreational use.

The upper access boat ramp remained open

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced the temporary closure of one of two boat ramps off Minga Road near Boone Dam. The lower access ramp was closed for two days, with the lower parking lot also inaccessible to vehicles. This was due to the need to disassemble a caisson used for spillway gate testing.

However, the upper access boat ramp further from Minga Road remained open to the public. Visitors could still access the upper parking lot with their vehicles and launch their boats from the ramp. This ensured continued access to the Tennessee River watershed during the temporary closure of the lower ramp.

The TVA's decision to keep the upper boat ramp open was important for maintaining public access to the water. By providing an alternative launch point, the TVA was able to balance the need for equipment removal with the recreational needs of boaters in the area. This allowed boaters to continue their activities with minimal disruption.

The upper access boat ramp's proximity to the upper parking lot also facilitated ease of use for visitors. While the lower ramp and parking lot were temporarily closed for safety reasons, the upper facilities provided a safe and accessible option for boaters wishing to utilise the Boone Dam area.

Overall, the decision to keep the upper access boat ramp open demonstrated the TVA's commitment to supporting recreational activities while also conducting necessary maintenance work. By maintaining this ramp's accessibility, the TVA was able to accommodate the needs of boaters and ensure a positive experience for all stakeholders involved.

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