By Herman B. Ward, Jr. Associate Editor
“Wait right here and I’ll come back to get you,” is what a father told his 7-year-old son recently at the Howell Heflin Lock and Dam located in Gainesville.
This father’s actions on Friday, August 9, 2024, demonstrate what many Sumter County residents and visitors have been forced to do for many years if they wish to simply go fishing or approach the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway on the Sumter County side of the dam site.
Residents have been forced to tread across dangerous rocks, walk through a wooded area, or simply not go.
Many residents travel to Greene County where three paths and a stairway are provided for visitors near the dam who wish to fish, along with a restroom and picnic area.
“This is not right! Something needs to be done,” stated Sumter County Commission Co-Chairperson Drucilla Jackson.
Jackson visited the entire area on both sides of the Tombigbee River Monday, August 12, following a Sumter County Commissioners meeting.
Jackson has been a resident of Panola for over 40 years and said she, her family, and many neighbors were once visitors at the Dam area and she remembers when river access was provided by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Jackson said she recalls when a storm caused flooding and damage at the area almost 10 years ago. She recommended residents and the local press contact the Army Corps of Engineers when questioned at a recent Commissioners meeting about the area.
Jackson called and conversed with the Record-Journal newspaper reporter on her cellular device while visiting the area Monday, August 12, following the Commissioners meeting in Livingston and said she was “surprised to see” its condition.
“My husband, the late Commissioner Claude Jackson, designed the Gainesville Howell Heflin Lock. This was the first phase of the project. He and I, along with my daughter who is now approaching 40, used to visit and enjoy this area, but it has been a long time since I came down here,” Jackson added.
“I know there was a storm that caused a lot of damage, but that was a while back. It shouldn’t be that hard to move rocks to the side or clear a path through the woods so people can reach the river on this side,” Jackson said.
“People in Gainesville, Geiger, Emelle, and Panola should not have to drive over there (Greene County) just to go fishing,” Jackson said.
Jackson provided two telephone numbers and names to reach Army Corps of Engineer officials and said she would make efforts to contact those responsible for the Sumter County side.
The Army Corps of Engineers provides public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen national security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Services is listed as those responsible for the management of areas such as Howell Heflin Lock and Dam in Gainesville.
“Why is access to the dam and river granted and visible from the Greene County side, but none on the Sumter County side? Can boulders be moved or trees and bushes be cleared so local residents can reach the side of the river?
“Will the Army Corp of Engineers allow local residents or the Sumter County Engineer and Road Department authority to move boulders or clear trees and bushes so Sumter County residents can reach the riverside like Greene and other Counties…” were some of the questions asked by this newspaper reporter.
A number of the calls made to the Army Corps of Engineers were unanswered and unreturned.
Calls that were answered resulted in referrals to other names and numbers given.
A number of parks and boat ramp areas near USACE sites are managed by the State of Alabama or private marinas.
Residents can contact the state or private marinas for additional information.
A list of USACE sites appear online that contain names, job titles, and public areas.
Since being impounded in 1978 by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Gainesville Reservoir was known for and suited for good fishing.
Bream, drum, catfish, and bass fishing was at one time enjoyed in Gainesville around the dam area for many years by those without boats, according to local residents.
Video from Sumter County Side
Sumter side behind the Dam
Restroom on Green County side
Dam with stairs and platform for sight seeing and fishing on Green County side of Howell Heflin Dam
Greene County
View of Greene County area with 4 access areas to the Howell Heflin Dam while standing on the Sumter County side with none
Sumter County residents and visitors have been forced to travel over dangerous rocks for a number of years if they wish to go fishing at the Howell Heflin Lock and Dam in Gainesville.