Thu
Aug 3 2023
08:21 am
Two Little River dams may be removed
By: bizgrrl

From Maryville Daily Times,

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday, Aug. 1 that it had evaluated the potential impacts of the proposed removal or modification of three dams on the Little River in Blount County. The tentatively selected plan includes removing portions of the Rockford and Peery’s Mill Dams while leaving the Townsend Dam untouched. Chip Hall, the corps biologist in charge of the report, said the proposed plan would leave some structures at the modified dams undamaged. The main body of the report is about 120 pages, he said. The Corps announced it would begin scoping the potential removal or modification of the dams in February."

Kayakers rejoice. Although, it could make the river more crowded. But, it could take a while.

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fischbobber's picture

Navigable

Submitted by fischbobber on Thu, 2023/08/03 - 10:11am.

The river will fluctuate at a much greater level. Some days it will be better for kayaking, but really not sure of the overall implications of this. It is an overhaul of an ecosystem, sometimes this sort of stuff turns out better, sometimes not. We'll see what happens as the ecosystem achieves its equilibrium after the project.

WhitesCreek's picture

I would systematically remove most dams If I were Emperor

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Sat, 2023/08/05 - 8:38pm.

Are any of these dams the ones that had drowning deaths?

It is amazing how fast the riparian areas recover after dam removal. The aftermath is nearly always totally environmentally positive.

fischbobber's picture

Drowning

Submitted by fischbobber on Sat, 2023/08/05 - 10:45pm.
(in reply to WhitesCreek)

I'm sure people died beneath those dams at some point, human nature and the properties of dams being what they are. As to post damn recovery, I will yield to your base of knowledge. I'm guessing you would know better than I.

But, I think you would be referring to the dam in Townsend, which, I believe, is staying.

bizgrrl's picture

I think the most recent

Submitted by bizgrrl on Sun, 2023/08/06 - 7:43am.
(in reply to fischbobber)

I think the most recent drownings (2018, 2019) were at the Peery’s Mill Dam in Walland, which is being considered for removal. Another drowning at Peery's Mill in 2013.

fischbobber's picture

Drownings

Submitted by fischbobber on Sun, 2023/08/06 - 9:01am.
(in reply to bizgrrl)

I stand corrected.

R. Neal's picture

There have also been

Submitted by R. Neal on Sun, 2023/08/06 - 9:07am.
(in reply to bizgrrl)

There have also been drownings at the Rockford dam.

Here's one report. Awful.

(link...)

fischbobber's picture

Human nature

Submitted by fischbobber on Sun, 2023/08/06 - 9:30am.
(in reply to R. Neal)

I didn't realize there were this many drownings at those two dams, but I'm not surprised.

Edit (I'm thinking kayaking may be a dam neutral subject. River Dan seems to be moving right along.

WhitesCreek's picture

I would remove most dams if I were Emperor!

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2023/08/07 - 1:02pm.

But it has to be done with planning and thought.

There is a ton of info on low head dams and how dangerous they are. here is just one link: (link...)

I've been a part of a few removals, including one in VA where we paddled a canoe with Senator John Warner through the rapid that was named in his honor as a result of his work in the Senate to facilitate the removal. It's quite a thrill to blow one of these murderous things up.

We are late to the game here in the East, but there have been some epic removals out west. (link...)

bizgrrl's picture

Peery’s Mill Dam, up for

Submitted by bizgrrl on Mon, 2023/08/07 - 2:47pm.

Peery’s Mill Dam, up for demolition, is where Kayakers put in to paddle to River Johns. It's also a very popular swimming hole. Nice big parking lot right at the dam attracting lots of people to danger.

bizgrrl's picture

Last Thursday, the US Army

Submitted by bizgrrl on Thu, 2023/08/24 - 6:35am.

Additional information from the Blount County Democratic Party.

Last Thursday, the US Army Corps of Engineers presented their recommendations for removing Peery’s Mill Dam and Rockford Dam from the Little River to:
• restore the aquatic and riparian ecosystem of the Little River
• lower the significant risk to human safety and loss of life on the river

PLEASE take a minute to make a comment in favor of the recommended plan to keep this project on track. Keep your comments short since they will likely be broadly categorized as Pro or Con. Comments should be submitted before Aug 31 to:

CorpsLRNPlanningPublicCom@usace.army.mil

Here is a link to the complete project report:

We need broad community support to improve and protect the health of the Little River by removing the dams!

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