KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Boaters on Douglas Lake should temporarily try to avoid going onto the water, due to floating and submerged debris from Hurricane Helene. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) issued a boating safety advisory for the lake Monday afternoon.
The agency said a large field of floating debris accumulated in the Douglas Reservoir after Hurricane Helene, in Sevier County and Jefferson County. In a press release Monday, it said the debris field is around a square mile large.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is using a mile-wide boom across the Douglas Reservoir, near Dandridge, to capture debris floating in the water. The boom is effectively a floating barrier designed to capture debris in water.
The TWRA said debris can be hazardous, potentially causing injury or death. It is asking boaters to stay off the lake until further notice while crews involved in debris cleanup make sure the lake is safe.
The release also said a temporary water contact advisory was still in place, issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. During the advisory, people should avoid all contact with bodies of water impacted by Hurricane Helene due to the possibility of contaminants entering the water.
The TDEC advisory applies to the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga river watersheds as well as any other waters affected by the flooding. According to the release, the TDEC plans to continue monitoring water quality in these areas.
The TWRA also said fishing and recreational event organizers should consider postponing events, for the safety of their participants.