Ned McWherter Park Boat Ramp Expansion

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Ned McWherter Park Boat Ramp Expansion
Project Summary
Current Status
Progress Photos
Current Park Plan

Background

Located under the bridge that carries the James White Parkway across the Tennessee River, Governor Ned McWherter Park has a host of amenities including outdoor picnic tables, fishing, and two boat ramps for use of all types of watercraft.

River usage by both powered and un-powered water craft continues to increase adding demand to the public blueway access points. With extensive parking (approximately 50 spaces with about 20 accommodating boat trailers) and the Knoxville Rowing Association’s boat storage, the Ned McWherter site is one of the most heavily utilized of these river accesses.

Project Description

Funded primarily through a grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Ned McWherter Park Boat Ramp Expansion expands and improves the existing facilities providing better access to the Tennessee River:

  1. New Ramp—A third boat ramp will be added upstream of the existing two and the existing upstream ramp converted into an unpowered craft launch.
  2. New Ramp Access Dock—A new access dock will be added upstream of the new ramp. Access docks provide both a tie-off point for solo boaters and a point to load or unload boat passengers before loading or after unloading a boat from a trailer.
  3. Accessible Route and Parking—An accessible route constructed and delineated providing an ADA-compliant connection between the new ramp’s access dock and a new ADA-compliant parking space sized for a vehicle with a trailer.  In addition to supporting accessibility, the new access route also provides a designated space for pedestrians moving between the access ramp and the remainder of the park.
  4. Lighting—Existing parking lot lighting will be augmented to ensure proper illumination of the increased ramp area and new accessible parking.

Flooding from the mid-February 2018 rains had a significant impact on construction progress. High waters at the headwaters for Fort Loudon Lake where the ramp is located persisted through late March preventing completion of the ramp. The high water did, however, allow portions of the ramp which were constructed prior to the flooding to be opened in time for the Bassmaster’s Classic.

The new ramp closed again following the Tournament due to issues created by flood damage to the incomplete ramp. Summer water levels prevented work on the ramps until 2019 when TVA once again lowered lake levels on Fort Loudon Lake. Floods in February 2020 once again shut down the site, covering the work area as much as 6 feet deep. Flooding this year, however, was not as extended and contractors completed construction of the ramp and the abutment for the new courtesy dock in March.

Site lighting, paving, and site cleanup are now complete with both ramps now open for use. The new gangway and courtesy dock are expected to be installed fall 2020. Construction progress photos and photos from the flood event can be viewed in the Progress Photos tab.

There are no current photo updates.