Project to restrict Elk River Dam access at Arnold AFB begins soon
- Will Davis
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – To establish a safeguard in the area, an access control project is slated to soon begin at the Elk River Dam on Arnold Air Force Base.
Once complete, this work will prevent public access to the dam structure. However, recreationalists who frequent the locale will not lose access to the river for fishing and other activities.
The project is necessary to restrict public access to the downstream dam training walls to ensure that property security and general safety in the area is maintained, said Program Manager Ashley Rose-Nalin.
“Over the years, the dam training walls and sidewalk have been utilized for fishing and general recreation activities,” Rose-Nalin said. “Accidents have occurred in the immediate area and added maintenance has been required due to recreational activities. At the completion of the project, the dam training walls and dam road will be inaccessible to public foot traffic for recreational purposes.”
The effort will involve the installation of security fencing around the downstream dam training walls. Gates will also be installed atop the dam at each end of the road crossing to prohibit uncontrolled public access.
Work is expected to begin in July.
The requirements were coordinated by Arnold AFB team members from the base Civil Engineer Branch, Security Forces and the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Test Operations and Sustainment contractor.
A Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements, or SABER, task order was awarded by Arnold Installation Contracting to complete this work.
The impacted area has been closed periodically in the past due to littering, refuse dumping and other illegal activities.
“Multiple efforts have been made to reduce the litter, including changing access points, the addition of a dumpster and an increased law enforcement presence in the area,” said Arnold AFB Natural Resources Manager Brandon Bailey. “None of these had the impact we hoped for when we implemented them.”
Rose-Nalin emphasized that while the more permanent access control measures soon to be in place will restrict access to the dam walls and crossing road, anglers and others looking to spend time outdoors in the area will still have access to the water.
“The public will still be able to access the Elk River downstream of the dam for fishing and recreation,” Rose-Nalin said. “They just will not be able to access from any portion of the dam training walls after the completion of the project.”
