A new kayaking and canoe access point is under consideration beside the bridge at the foot of Harrison Ferry Mountain. 

Tennessee Department of Transportation currently has a bridge project that is almost complete on Highway 8 over Collins River. Tourism Development Board members are eyeing part of that project as the beginning of a future put in/ take out river access for kayakers and canoers.

“We evaluated the current access points to all of our rivers and determined more are needed,” said Tourism Development Board member Michael Griffith. “This is based on river usage from fishing to recreational kayaking and canoeing. The Highway 8 access was one of the most important ones out of that list. It is the halfway point from the current Myers Cove access and current Shellsford Road access.”

Also taken into consideration, said Griffith, were safety needs of being able to access the river closer to town for emergency/ Rescue Squad personnel. 

He also said having a river access point on a major highway minutes from town would have a measurable tourism impact.

The ongoing bridge project has added a financial benefit for the possibility of a future access point. TDOT has constructed an access road as part of new bridge construction and if that remains, it can be used as part of the kayak/ canoe access.

“I, with the instrumental help of state Rep. Rush Bricken, requested TDOT to leave its access road in place during the new bridge construction,” said Griffith. “This is significant because historically TDOT removes those access roads and restricts river access in TDOT right of way. TDOT has tentatively agreed not to remove the access road. This will save thousands of dollars. With a perfectly good access road in place, we have an opportunity to develop a public put in/ take out river access.”

Partners in the project are being sought.

“The Tourism Development Board will explore partnering with other groups to develop the site including the TWRA,” said Griffith. “George Dodson, the landowner, along with TDOT have been gracious enough to work with us on this and it will be a great contribution to our portfolio of public access points. TWRA has been instrumental in helping us properly lay out what might be developed there, but we are certainly in the pre-planning stages.”

Board members are also exploring joint ventures in an effort to secure grants to fund the future development.