CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Blueway has been a popular destination ever since it opened in 2013, providing kayaks, canoes and floats access to the Big West Fork Creek of the Red River, entering at Robert Clark Park and exiting at Billy Dunlop Park.
But that access point at Billy Dunlop hasn’t exactly been controlled, and all those boaters getting in and out of the creek has caused serious bank erosion problems at the park. Over the next few months, Clarksville Parks and Recreation, in collaboration with the Cumberland River Compact, will be working to fix that.
Starting in early June, crews will restore and stabilize 470 feet of degraded bank at three points along the creek, according to a city news release.
“The stream bank at these three locations has experienced rapid erosion, resulting in the release of substantial sediment into the river as it flows through the park. Unfortunately, this excessive sedimentation has caused the segment of the stream to fall below the water quality standards set by state and federal government entities,” the release said.
To fix the problem, crews will re-slope the eroded banks, install “stone toe” (stones that will shore up and protect the banks from erosion), and re-seed and plant natural areas along the banks.
The end result should help control and encourage people to use existing access points, while protecting natural areas from erosion caused by unrestricted access.
“Billy Dunlop Park is well-loved and much used by Clarksville residents,” said Mekayle Houghton, executive director of the Cumberland River Compact. “As we repair the stream bank and provide clearly marked access to the Red River, the project will improve water quality for all of the people and creatures who live in the Red River watershed.”
The goal is to keep the Billy Dunlop Park access point open through the process, said Ryan Sample with Clarksville Parks and Recreation.
For more information, visit the Cumberland River Compact project website.