ATHENS, Tenn. — A 3-acre fishing lake in the Athens Regional Park has apparently sprung a leak and park officials fear a sinkhole has developed in the center of the lake.
Athens Park and Recreation spokesman Chris Powers said early Wednesday the lake level has dropped almost about 1.5 inches since Tuesday night and continues to drain.
City Public Works officials told Mr. Powers nothing can be done until the sinkhole is located, probably from a whirlpool that will develop.
“They said this also happened about 10 to 12 years ago,” Mr. Powers said. The lake was larger then, so the area where sinkhole occurred was filled with dirt, he said.
The lake was built in the 1980s when the park was developed, officials said.
The lake is used for recreational fishing and spring trout tournaments. Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officer Joe Bush said there are probably no trout in the lake and few catfish, according to Mr. Powers.
But if the lake keeps draining, city workers may have to board boats and scoop up any fish that are there with buckets, he said.
“If this is what I hope it isn’t (a sinkhole), there is no telling how long it will take” to plug or repair, Mr. Powers said.
Public Works Director Shawn Lindsey said his department probably would be responsible for repairing a leak if it is possible.
Only a small amount of water is running into the lake from a feeder stream.
City Manager Mitchell Moore said late Wednesday afternoon he visited the lake and hopes the situation is improving.
"I've been out there and it seems to me the level has stopped dropping," Mr. Moore said.
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