By Paul Leach
Correspondent
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- While TVA continues to assess recent rock slide damage to the Ocoee flume system, commercial rafting outfitters are getting a chance to pick up some extra days of rafting during the week.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has not yet announced a timetable for completing repair work to the flume. A slide below Ocoee Dam No. 2 destroyed between 60 and 70 feet of the wooden flume, built in 1912, which diverts water from the river and carries it to a powerhouse to make electricity.
"TVA has a team in place to assess the damage and develop a repair plan," agency spokesman Travis Brickey said Friday.
Mr. Brickey also advised that a buffer zone has been established in the Ocoee River to keep commercial rafters away from the slide area as a safety precaution.
In the meantime, Ocoee outfitters expect to enjoy "a slight increase in business," according to Scott Mantooth, vice president of the Ocoee River Outfitters Association.
In accordance with scheduling coordinated with TVA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the outfitters generally have river access on weekends during April and May, and a daily summer schedule that only excludes Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
With the flume damaged, the water runs full-time, which means the outfitters can run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, too.
To cover the extra time, TDEC is manning the river with more staff.
"We are currently providing extra staff support on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.," said TDEC spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton.
Mr. Mantooth said the outfitters rely on TDEC staff at the river access points.
"They do all the dirty work and take a lot of the chaos out of a chaotic situation," he said. "They control traffic, maintain public restrooms, and a number of other things that makes things easier for us."
This isn't the first time a landslide has damaged the flume. A falling boulder damaged a 40-foot section in July 2002. It cost $200,000 and took months to repair, according to newspaper archives.
Paul Leach is based in Bradley County. Contact him at paulrleach3@gmail.com.