COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — A group created to save the Duck River discussed new ways forward on Thursday.

In response to an executive order from Governor Lee, the “Duck River Planning Partnership” examines ways to preserve the Duck River and better manage state watersheds. 

The partnership consists of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation employees, state and county leaders, those who work directly with the Duck River, and others.

As discussions continue and ideas are brainstormed, a local group believes it's past time for legitimate action.

“We need a quick solution; that quick solution is raising Normandy Lake,” said Jason Gilliam, a Maury County resident and Chair of Columbia Dam Now. “That’s what will happen the fastest and the cheapest. $34.2 million, approximately 2 years to complete that project, and we’ll have that water. Nothing comes close to that as far as a timeline is concerned.” 

Gilliam’s group supports rebuilding the Columbia Dam, which was nearly completed in the 1980s, as a long-term preservation measure for the Duck River. Raising Normandy Lake would be a temporary first-step, he said. 

“Put more water in the river, here, which would help us in our needs currently, right now, today,” said Gilliam. “Honestly, I’d like to see them break [from the meeting] right now and say, 'You know what, this is a waste of time.' We need to raise Normandy Lake…. that needs to happen, it should have happened yesterday. It should have happened 15 years ago!”

One solution that has serious momentum is a water pipeline, connecting the Cumberland or Tennessee River to the Duck River. However, Gilliam said a pipeline of that size would be too costly, and take far too long to build. 

“Right now, that Cumberland Pipeline that’s being discussed is a 2-billion-dollar project. The people in Maury County, the water users here, we can’t afford that. If we go to the Tennessee River, same thing,” Gilliam said. 

The Duck River is the most biologically-diverse river in North America. Building a dam and disrupting the natural environment is a concern many locals have. 

Gilliam and his group believe it wouldn’t be an issue.

“The Columbia Dam, if it were rebuilt, would impound about 51-miles of that river. So that leaves us about 230 miles of river remaining. That will not change the biodiversity. Normandy Lake didn’t change the biodiversity in the river,” said Gilliam.

No action was taken during Thursday’s meeting. The next meeting of the Duck River Partnership will be on Sept. 18, followed by two meetings in November. 

The location and time of September’s meeting has not yet been determined.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/future-of-the-duck-river-next-steps-possible-solutions-discussed-by-new-state-partnership/