In the wake of Hurricane Helene, authorities in Tennessee have issued boating and water safety advisories for Douglas Lake and surrounding water bodies. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has warned of a significant debris field in the Douglas Reservoir, prompting the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to set up a containment system above the town of Dandridge, according to a TWRA release. This debris, the result of severe flooding from the hurricane, has created a hazardous situation for boaters and clean-up crews alike.
The collection of detritus, extending nearly one square mile, stems from the inflow of the Nolichucky, Pigeon, and French Broad Rivers, among other tributaries, as reported by the TWRA. To manage the hazard, crews have installed a mile-wide boom to intercept errant debris. However, the sheer volume of the material and the risk it poses, means that the advisories will remain effective until conditions significantly improve and the waters are deemed safe once more.
Given the risks, TDEC recommends postponing any fishing or recreational activities that might take place on or near the impacted waters. The TWRA also notes that TVA Police along with their officers will be actively patrolling the waters, a clear testament to the seriousness of the current situation.
