Sewer project could pave way for permanent paddling access on South Chickamauga Creek

Eric Fleming treks back up a path put down for work along South Chickamauga Creek Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Fleming is trying to convince the city to leave a gravel road they put down for work along the creek, so individuals who want to get out on the creek will have easier access.
Eric Fleming treks back up a path put down for work along South Chickamauga Creek Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Fleming is trying to convince the city to leave a gravel road they put down for work along the creek, so individuals who want to get out on the creek will have easier access.

A makeshift gravel road leading to South Chickamauga Creek from Shallowford Road has temporarily given paddlers a long-sought-after put-in along a popular section of the waterway.

The temporary access road, known as a haul road, was built for contractors now working on sewer upgrades in the area. When construction is done, haul roads are taken away and the land is returned to its natural state. However, kayakers and canoeists have been using it to paddle to the newly upgraded Sterchi Farm. Now they're asking the city to keep it in place when the sewer project concludes.

"I don't want to spend any extra money; just leave it as it is," paddler Eric Fleming said.

Fleming, a 69-year-old retiree, leads monthly paddling trips for the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club 11 months out of the year. The trips rotate through the region. In January, they paddled at Hiwassee Refuge; in March it was Coolidge Park to Suck Creek. They'll paddle in Dalton, to Booker T. Washington State Park, through the Sequatchie Valley and will take several trips along both North and South Chickamauga Creek this year. The trip from the haul road to Sterchi Farm is convenient and has been a favorite for some paddlers.

It snakes through Chattanooga, passing scenic landscape and wildlife in the heart of the city. It ends at Sterchi Farm with its new pavilion, restrooms and parking area. The park connects to the South Chickamauga Greenway, an extension of the Tennessee Riverwalk.

"It's a very nice paddle from here to Sterchi Farm," Fleming said along the bank near the temporary road. "They're spending a lot of money there [at Sterchi Farm], and this would help make sure it gets used. The more people you have around, the safer it is for everyone. It doesn't become as isolated, and I think it would help them a lot if they had paddlers through there."

Starting trips farther up the creek isn't much of an option, Fleming said. A large pipe blocks the waterway upstream of Shallowford Road.

Outdoor Chattanooga also leads trips on the creek and has been using the temporary access point. The organization is planning to add a new paddling series to highlight the different waterways in the area. The South Chickamauga Creek section to Sterchi Farm would be one of the routes.

"There's sewer pipe upstream, which is a treacherous spot for beginners, and it's washing out," said Outdoor Chattanooga program coordinator Terri Chapin. "You have to carry your boat around it, and debris has stacked up, but that's the best way to get to Sterchi Farm."

City and Public Works officials have spoken to the contractor and are open to the possibility of leaving the ramp in place, city and department spokeswomen Richel Albright and Colline Miller said. It may involve a resolution or some additional paperwork, but it is something that is being considered.

The Chattanooga office of the Trust for Public Land is also interested in the possibility, according to local program director David Johnson. It likely means a new formal easement, but "I think it's a viable option," Johnson said.

The trust wants to ensure everything is done properly and follows all laws and city codes. If it doesn't work out, there are a few other options on nearby properties to add creek access, Johnson said.

"There's a lot of options there that we're interested in," he said. "Mr. Fleming is very interested, and he believes because that road is there now that we have to get it done immediately or it won't happen. I don't think that's necessarily the case. We're super interested in getting more access but if that's not available, there's other options."

However, the haul road is the most viable option, Johnson said. It already exists and is used informally by paddlers.

Contact Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.

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