Springville, Tenn.–Many areas that are seasonally closed at the Tennessee and Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge will remain closed until further notice.
Those areas normally re-open Saturday, March 16th. These areas have been closed during winter to lessen disturbance to wintering waterfowl on both these refuges. However, this year due to flood conditions many of these areas will remain closed for awhile longer.
Currently many refuge roads and areas remain underwater. As soon as floodwaters recede, refuge staff will have to take assessment of road conditions, determine damaged or unsafe travel areas and document all conditions before any repairs can be initiated. It is unlikely that all this will occur in time to open on March 16th.
All of Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge will remain closed until further notice.
On Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge the following areas will remain closed until further notice:
- Duck River Bottoms, excluding the Pump Station Boat Ramp into Pool 1
- Tie Yards area including Nix Landing Boat Ramp
- All of the Busseltown Unit
- Pace Point Road
- The road past Chickasaw Trail at Big Sandy Peninsula
- Swayne Point boat ramp
Refuge officials caution any boater or vehicle using the road or boat ramp before it is cleared from debris. The refuge has several volunteer opportunities to help clear debris from boat ramps, parking lots or clean up trash. Contact the refuge headquarters at 731-642-2091 for more information about volunteer opportunities
Several Tennessee refuge boat ramps will re-open as soon as floodwaters recede and debris can be cleared including:
- Eagle Creek Boat Ramp
- Morgan Creek Boat Ramp
- Antioch Boat Ramp
Several bay areas will re-open as usual including Swamp Creek Bay, Sulphur Well Bay and Bennett’s Creek Bay. All hiking trails, including Britton Ford Hiking Trail, Chickasaw Trail and the Nature Discovery Trail will reopen as usual on March 16. However, hikers are encouraged to proceed with caution as some parts of the trail were submerged during high water conditions.
Officials said, “We realize that springtime is the time when the crappie start biting and it is a great time to go fishing on the refuge. Therefore we apologize for this inconvenience and will reopen when conditions allow. Updates will be posted online on the refuge websites at:
www.fws.gov/refuge/Tennessee or www.fws.gov/refuge/Cross_Creeks. We will also post on the both refuge Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/tennesseenwr or www.facebook.com/ccrefuge. Please contact the refuge office at 731-642-2091 prior to a visit to the refuge for the most recent updates.