DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is attempting to clear up confusion from contradictory public statements regarding the current condition of Douglas Lake after damage from Hurricane Helene.
On Monday, Oct. 21, a public advisory stated that Douglas Lake was unsafe for boaters due to a large field of floating debris caused by the hurricane. By Tuesday, a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesperson reached out to reverse the warning, claiming the advisory was outdated and that most of the debris had already washed ashore as water levels receded.
However, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, a different TWRA spokesperson, Emily Buck, confirmed that the advisory remains accurate and the lake still poses a safety risk.
“In any natural disaster like this, there's going to be a lot of moving parts, and it's easy for misinformation and miscommunications to get out there,” said Buck.
She also said that there may have been some internal confusion within TWRA about the status of the lake's condition. At present, both debris in the water and along the shorelines continue to make Douglas Lake hazardous for boating, fishing, and swimming.
A water contact advisory also remains in place from the state, with officials strongly discouraging any activity on the lake.
“Even if people are out there, they should use extreme caution,” said Buck. “They also need to be aware of work crews in the area for the safety of both themselves and the workers.”
Wildlife officers urge anyone who does choose to boat on Douglas Lake to proceed slowly, pay close attention, and always wear life jackets.