LOUDON COUNTY — Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officers are warning boaters to stay away from dams after a 23-year-old from North Carolina was killed on Saturday and two more were injured in a boating accident below Fort Loudoun Dam.
When the spill gates are open, the dam can create a strong current that sucks boats underwater.
"The force of the water, the power of the water is just unbelievable," said Travis Brickey, spokesperson for TVA. "It can suck your boat in, topple your boat, and you’re in the water."
TVA has opened the spill gates at the dam to let out water from the recent rainfall.
A.J. Re’, 23 from Denver, North Carolina, was killed in the accident on Saturday.
Donald McCorkle, 49, and Clint McCorkle, 22, both of Lincolnton, North Carolina were injured.
"It’ll grab the boat and take it under from there," said Anthony Chitwood, a Wildlife Officer with TWRA. "Your boat doesn’t gain as much traction when you engage your propellor. It’s not going to behave typical of the way you’re used to your boat handling."
Anthony Chitwood patrols through Loudon County for TWRA. He’s been on the job for 13 years and has only seen a couple of rescues at the Fort Loudoun Dam.
This is the first case he has seen that has been deadly.
Chitwood says TWRA sees about one rescue at a dam around the state every year.
Water flowing over the dam can create strong currents that suck boats under. Boats and debris can get trapped under the spill gates. TWRA still has not been able to recover the boat from this weekend.
"As it starts to warm up, the water is more oxygen rich up there and people have the belief that’s where they have to go to catch the big fish," said Chitwood. "There’s dozens of boats everyday up here fishing. Overall, I would say it’s a safe activity but you can make poor decisions and put yourself in jeopardy from time to time."