After several years of storms that have claimed a number of trees at Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery, there was already a lot of lingering work to be done like replanting new trees, rebuilding the hatchery perimeter fence, rebuilding 6 picnic tables and public use benches, upgrading the hatchery fishing pier, shoring up the creek bank, filling erosion pits, and adding safety rip rap.
Recently two large trees fell on the fishing pier down at the creek. They took out the front rail and front facing foundation joists. The hatchery creek area is shaded, peaceful, full of trout, and part of a forested hiking loop that reaches all the way to the Obey River. For anyone that knows Dale Hollow NFH, the hatchery creek is the main recreational draw and has always been a focal point for events. Hatchery staff is scrambling and working every day to try to find solutions to recover the creek area storm damage, make it safe for visitors, and come up with a strategy to bring it back to the cool oasis of nature it was before the age of the trees and weather took their recent toll.
Volunteers are invited to help us rebuild the hatchery creek.
Causes
- Heavy rains
- Soft soil
- Rotten/shallow roots
Repair & plans:
- Move the downed trees & limbs using station equipment and personnel.
- Put a bunch of rock and dirt along the top of the riprap erosion areas, compact, and grow plants with roots to help add structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure - Ask for creativity help building fish stations, benches, tables, and information signs that add to the quality of the site and make use of the tree stumps (being careful not to make it look so manipulated that it takes away from the nature)
- The station is optimistic about being able to implement a patch repair to the pier, but we'll need a little time to see if we can get some small grant funding and rebuild it correctly without wasting any money. Some good planning could get a decent fix/upgrade if modest funds become available.
- Trees at the creek will continue to be an issue, the current plan is to take down the worst trees when vital. There are an additional 22 virginia pines that are at end of life, but the station needs to make progress on finding a way to replace/replant trees before we strip the creek bare of cover – so we are stuck with a continual safety and damage repair issue as we work on low cost possibilities. If larger funds become available, a faster, more comprehensive action plan is possible.
- We'd like to build a kiosk and covered fishing pier someday if we can get skilled volunteers and some more material supply support.
Actions Taken
- With a lot of help for Roy Sinclair, from the Hatchery Friends group, we were able to remove the 5 dead and dangerous trees for a fraction of the projected costs.
- We built a temporary, heavy duty guard rail 18" back from the edge of the pier's broken end joist to allow continued safe visitor access without completely shutting down the structure
- We moved 60 trees and tons of debris away from the storm impact site
- We submitted the following proposal to Tennessee Tech that just got distributed to key personnel in the ag department. Depending on the action results from this proposal, we may also contact UT, TN dept of Ag, or maybe some local non-profits/companies.
To: Tennessee Tech
From: Thomas Reeves, Hatchery Manager
Subject: Planning help request and possible partnership
June, 13, 2024
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long partnership with Tennessee Tech related to educational opportunities and occasional research programs. The hatchery has a visitor creek area with heavy fish stocking, trails, picnic areas, and shade trees that have made the area remarkable for decades.
Aging trees and recent storms have taken their toll over the last few years and the hatchery is looking for recovery help planting native trees in their open fields and as replacement for storm damage and hoped this might be a good opportunity to collaborate on a neat area that could use some expertise.
Would you be willing/interested in reviewing the site to explore restoration and 2024/2025 project potential?
Potential areas of interest:
- Re-planting trees near the creek – evergreen, native, must be able to endure wet river-connected soil. We are not sure of the trees, configuration, support, or sources.
- Planting/supporting native evergreens over 15 acres of open field. Planning or group effort possible?
- Other options: Developing nature trails, native gardens, education systems?
- Communications (possible): outreach events, US Fish & Wildlife Service National quarterly reports, Department of Interior news articles, hatchery website, congressional representative, state government, local news
Between the partnerships, volunteers, and a lot of hard work, the fish funds help create the basis of a decently large scale recovery effort at Dale Hollow. There is still a lot of work to do and great need for funding, but the team is going to keep grinding away at finding solutions to restore a community treasure.
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