The Oneida Independent Herald newspaper has an article this week on what the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is doing to save some of its hemlocks from the hemlock woolly adelgid, which has already decimated hemlock forests in the Great Smoky Mountains and is expected to do the same here.
It’s the peak of whitewater paddling season in the Big South Fork, but a lack of rain is putting a damper on things. This blog explains:
Dania Egedi, general manager of Sheltowee Trace Outfitters, said today that the river levels haven’t been a concern for much of the spring, actually running above normal for much of the season. But the recent lack of rainfall has made them an issue. If streamflows don’t rise by the weekend, Egedi said, Sheltowee Trace will be unable to make raft trips on the Big South Fork this weekend.
One of the various varieties of wildflowers along the Angel Falls hiking trails are in bloom Monday afternoon, April 16. The Big South Fork NRRA will host a wildflower hike along the two-mile trail Saturday morning, along with a horseback ride from Bandy Creek to Charit Creek and back. See the Big South Fork’s wild(flower) side!
All campground facilities are now open in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host a pair of wildflower events on April 21, and its annual Spring Planting Festival on April 28.
Unfortunately, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a river advisory for the Big South Fork after an issue with the Huntsville wastewater treatment plant Thursday. Please monitor the situation if you plan to visit the area this weekend.
Update: At 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, the National Park Service posted that the water from the confluence of New River and Clear Fork on downstream through the Big South Fork is not considered contaminated. New River upstream from the confluence to Huntsville is still considered contaminated.
Get up close and personal with spring by hiking the Beaver Falls Trail in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area!
Spring is blooming in Scott County, Tennessee. The first image below is of a blooming Bradford pear at Oneida City Park. The second is of yellow tops on a farm in West Oneida, near the entrance of the Big South Fork NRRA.
Spring is an excellent time to hike or ride in the Big South Fork NRRA. Redbuds (which are in full bloom right now) and dogwoods (which will be in full bloom within days) are found in abundance throughout the park, along with a variety of spring wildflowers. Redbuds are also found in abundance throughout Brimstone!
To plan your trip to Scott County, call the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. 423-663-6900.
(Photos courtesy The Independent Herald.)
Sam Anderson shot this beautiful photo of the Natural Arch Monday morning. Natural Arch is located just outside Scott County in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
