Thanks to a little elbow grease from local union members, anglers and recreational boaters will now have safer, more reliable access to Chickamauga Lake year round.
On April 7 and 21, more than 30 union volunteers gathered at Harrison Bay State Park to demolish and replace the dilapidated Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp.
Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp is seen at Chickamauga Lake before its renovations. The $32,000 replacement will provide better access for boaters and anglers alike. (Contributed photo by Union Sportsmen's Alliance)With thousands of boaters launching from the dock each year, the concrete ramp is one of the area's most heavily used public water access points. But it is also extremely problematic, users said.
When the water level falls low, the high pier remains several feet above the surface, making it difficult or impossible for recreationalists to lower their boats into the lake safely.
"So not only was it in bad condition, but it just didn't even reach the water half the year," said Kate Nation, spokesperson for the Union Sportsmen's Alliance, a national nonprofit that unites auto workers, roofers, plumbers and other union members of various trades through their love of outdoor recreational activities.
The installation project was part of the Franklin, Tenn.-based organization's "Work Boots on the Ground" program, which enables union members to use their expertise to enhance public access to the outdoors and restore public lands by volunteering for conservation projects.
As a result of the volunteers' work, boaters will now be able to use the new handicap-accessible ramp, which has an aluminum frame, aluminum handrails and composite decking.
Union volunteers replaced damaged and unsafe floor boards and the top rail of a fishing pier adjacent to the boat launch at Wolftever Creek on April 21. (Contributed photo by Union Sportsmen's Alliance)Most notably, the new ramp floats, allowing it to provide continued access to the lake when water levels fluctuate.
At 104 feet, it is also twice the length of the old ramp, allowing it to stretch further into the water.
Materials for the $32,000 pier came courtesy of the Local 42 division of United Auto Workers, which represents employees at Volkswagen Chattanooga and raised $10,000 for the project.
"Replacing the boat ramp is a project that UAW Local 42 really wanted to get involved in to benefit the public and demonstrate that we care about our community," said UAW Local 42 President Steve Cochran.
The remaining $22,000 came thanks to federal marine fuel tax revenues from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The launch area is owned by the state park system and was on TWRA's radar, but officials from the state agency said it might have been years before they would have been able to address the crucial project.
"The donations and hard work of the Union Sportsmen allowed us to accomplish this project more quickly," said Capt. Matt Clarey, who oversees boat access areas and ramps for TWRA Region III. "We're pleased to work alongside such great citizens. This partnership will benefit Tennesseans for years to come."
Volunteers will return to install an additional handrail on the pier abutment, align the floating section of the pier and install transition plates between dock sections. In the meantime, the pier is open for use.
Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.