Nickell Branch Road Improvement Project

Nickell Branch Road Improvement Project

Road 102 just off the Woodland Trace National Scenic Byway leads to the Nickell Branch recreation area.  An estimated 15 thousand people frequented the 1.2-mile gravel route last year.  Heavy rains we received lately left it a bumpy road and in need of improvements. Kevan Paluso, transportation program manager at Land Between the Lakes, took me and Customer Service Manager Jeff Laird with him to see Road 102 first hand.  Kevan pointed out features and described a project proposal during a recent site visit. Where most people simply see a scarred gravel road, Kevan sees damage, roadside swale restoration, and…
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Hillman Ferry Campground Improvements

Hillman Ferry Campground Improvements

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Camping season is just around the corner so dust off that camping gear! Hillman Ferry, Piney, and Energy Lake Campgrounds open for the 2016 season Tuesday, March 1. Check out the latest improvements, upgrades, and regular maintenance completed at Hillman Ferry Campground over the winter. Two picnic shelters at the Beach, and behind the Outpost were rehabilitated using revenue generated at Hillman Ferry Campground.   Due to poor water distribution during rain events, there were ongoing issues with deteriorating road conditions in A and B loops . Using soil and water restoration funds, capital improvement funds, and…
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Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area Improvements 

Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area Improvements 

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Sites at Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area were in need of rehabilitation. We knew work had to be done. A portion of the revenue from Backcountry permit sales is set aside for improvement projects. These funds were used to rehabilitate and reinforce campsites at Birmingham Ferry where necessary to reduce erosion. This project was completed in December of 2015. We hope our campers at Birmingham Ferry enjoy the improvements...Happy camping! --Gary  
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Colson Hollow Road Upgrade

Colson Hollow Road Upgrade

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Colson Hollow Road 169 Creek Crossing Hardening Project Forest Service Road 169 is the access to Colson Hollow Group Campground. There is a low water creek crossing at the entrance of the developed recreation site. There have been intense storms that have deposited gravel in the crossing that made it difficult for many vehicles to use. The group that maintains the cemetery located at the back of the campground was having trouble using the crossing with mowers after storms. Planning and funding were in place in October of 2015. The creek crossing was stabilized…
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Wranglers Campground Improvements

Wranglers Campground Improvements

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Why make improvements to Wranglers Campground? As a result of hearing from campers at public meetings in 2011, the US Forest Service planned, secured funding and began improving several campsites at Wranglers Campground in 2015. Campsites were upgraded and constructed to accommodate more people and make better use of unused campsites. What improvements were made? Camping season peaks at Wranglers in April and October due to spring and fall breaks and desirable weather conditions. With project planning from the Land Between The Lakes Engineering department and work completed by Envirosmart, Wranglers upgraded services on 17 campsites and constructed 4 new sites…
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Questions from the Public

Questions from the Public

Q&A Index Scroll down for links to notes and Q&A's. June 23, 2015 Dear Friends, It is my hope to be transparent in our management practices at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. We want to collaborate with you, members of the public and our partners, to make Land Between The Lakes the best it can be for our visitors, gateway communities, and our region. We will be answering questions originated from the various discussions, listening sessions, and meetings we held with members of the public and our partners. This Q&A Index will provide links to these questions and…
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