Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/38420
Title: Environmental Assessment : Roaring River Fish Dam Removal Project, Cordell Hull Dam Lake and Dam Project, Jackson County, Tennessee
Authors: United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Nashville District
Keywords: Cordell Hull Lake (Tenn.)
Roaring River (Tenn.)
Dam retirement
Environmental management
Environmental protection
Publisher: United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Nashville District.
Abstract: The proposal from State of Tennessee biologists to construct a fish barrier dam on Roaring River is referenced in the “Design Memorandum Number 7a, Preliminary Master Plan, Cordell Hull Project” dated April 10, 1964. The dam is not referenced as part of an authorized project purpose, but rather, as a mitigating measure to prevent “rough fish”, such as carp (Cyprinus sp.), shiners (Notropis sp.) and chubs (Semotilus sp.) from migrating into the free-flowing portions of the Roaring River watershed from Cordell Hull Reservoir. Construction of the dam didn’t begin until September of 1972. Since 1973, TWRA has held a license for the fish barrier (DACW62-3-02-0346) through the Corps Real Estate Division. Construction on the fish barrier was completed in October 1973. The original structure was a porous rock dike constructed to a crest of elevation 509’ mean sea level (msl) and a steel frame screen structure anchored in the downstream edge of the crest, which extended upward to an elevation of 512’ msl. The riverbed in this location was estimated at approximately 499’ above msl. Shortly after completion, on November 26-28, 1973, the barrier dam experienced significant damage due to heavy floods in the watershed. A reinforced barrier dam was constructed in July 1976 and is currently still in place in Roaring River. The barrier consists of a concrete veneer placed atop an interior of large rock and gabion stone that spans approximately 220 feet from river bank to bank. The impoundment pool created by the dam extends approximately one mile upstream.. TWRA no longer considers many of these species as detrimental to the Roaring River watershed, but rather, a key part of river ecosystems. Although non-native species, such as carp are not a desirable component of river ecosystems, previous surveys indicate that there is already a substantial carp population above the fish barrier dam. Also, periodic inspection of the outgrant by the Corps Real Estate Division noted the presence of a head cut on the downstream, left side of the structure and a need to repair the barrier. TWRA performed an initial alternative analysis and reassessed the need for a barrier on January 23, 2014. This initial analysis evolved into the current request to remove the barrier as discussed below. The dam is also suffering structural failure in the form of a headcut. The purpose of dam removal would be to restore connectivity to aquatic species within the Roaring River watershed and to eliminate safety hazards to the public created by the headcut.
Description: Environmental Assessment
Rights: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/38420
Appears in Collections:Environmental Documents

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