Vehicle Traffic Forces TWRA To Block Access At The Boils

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has cut off access to the sandbars at the Boils Wildlife Management Area in Jackson County.

Wildlife Information Specialist Mimi Barnes said TWRA had to prevent people from driving vehicles directly into the waterway.

“There were concerns from surrounding land owners about vehicles traveling in the waterway and there are a lot of environmental concerns,” Barnes said. “It is something that really can hurt the species that are there, including our native fish and Hellbender Salamander.”

Barnes said vehicle traffic puts sediment into the water and disturbs areas where the animals live.

People visiting the area will find boulders blocking entry to the water.

“We didn’t want it to be that way. We had tried using signs and placing cables across, but unfortunately we had reoccurring vandalism in that area,” Barnes said.

Barnes said there continues to be access to the parking lot area, but there will be a longer walk to the water for people who want to kayak or swim.

“It’s a short walk to the edge of the water,” Barnes said. “Now that the dam has been removed in that area, access to the roaring river is fairly easy from the parking lot area.”

The Boils Wildlife Management Area gets its name from forced underground water that appears to be boiling up from the ground.