TVA, BCDA improve Mon Dye Boat Launch

As part of an ongoing multi-year effort to improve Bear Creek Reservoir recreation, the Tennessee Valley Authority recently partnered with the Bear Creek Development Agency to enlarge the boat launch at the Mon Dye public use area in Franklin County.

As one of the most heavily-used boat launches on the reservoir, “enhancing the ramp is one of the most important things we can do to promote recreation on Bear Creek,” said Scott Lea, manager of TVA Recreation, which includes the Bear Creek area. “Expanding Mon Dye launch to two lanes improves the convenience for both the public and fishing tournaments.”

TVA also refurbished the Mon Dye fishing pier that was constructed along the shoreline to accommodate bank fishermen and avoid user conflicts with swimmers.

“This expansion is the latest in a long history of projects TVA and the BCDA have worked on to help improve the quality of life in and around the Bear Creek community,” said BCDA board chair Tricia Montgomery. “We look forward to continuing to work together on future projects and to develop our existing resources to their maximum potential.”

TVA funded the purchase of a dock kit, which BCDA staff assembled and installed, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In 2016 TVA partnered with BCDA to install a new ADA-fishing pier at the Quarter Creek Public Use Area on Upper Bear Creek Reservoir in Winston County.

BCDA also operates campgrounds and public use areas on the four Bear Creek project reservoirs under a development contract with TVA. Since 2005, TVA reports, the authority has completed universally-accessible upgrades to more than 60 campsites, fishing berms/piers, boat ramps, parking lots and restrooms across the Valley.

“Each year millions of people enjoy the 293,000 acres of public land and 650,000 acres of water for recreation that TVA maintains,” said Lea. “Upgrading recreation areas can help local economies by ensuring that all Valley residents can access TVA recreational areas regardless of age or ability.”

TVA established an Office of Tributary Area Development in 1961 to coordinate TVA programs and local and state government efforts for resource development in rural areas. The Bear Creek Project was one of the first launched under this act, created with local citizens in 1961 along with the Bear Creek Watershed Association. In 1965 the state formed the Bear Creek Development Authority to strengthen the Association’s efforts.

Today, the BCDA and TVA continue to work together to manage and develop the land and water resources to provide multiple benefits, including flood control, water supply, recreation and economic development.

BCDA does not receive any state funding and supports its mission through the sale of permits, water withdrawal, recreation fees, forestry management and agricultural agreements.