Ramp

laid the ramp with concrete revetment.

In recent decades, shifts in river currents and flow patterns have accelerated the deterioration of the ramp. And, as Young points out, the 40-plus-foot fluctuations of the river have contributed, as well.

“The water gets high enough that you can motor your boat over this parking lot,” he said. “That’s a lot of water on this ramp.”

Chris Richardson, assistant to TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter for policy and legislation, said replacement might be the only solution for the ramp.

“It is getting to the point where it is in disrepair and, at certain river stages, could be called potentially dangerous,” Richardson said.

TDEC spokeswoman Kim Schofinski said in an email that the department is working with TWRA to determine the repair options and their costs. As part of its management of state parks, TDEC is responsible for maintaining the ramp, but department officials have expressed interest in transferring those duties to TWRA, arguing that only a small portion of park-visitors – probably less than 4 percent – use the ramp.

But Dance, in a letter to Haslam, said the facility has grown in importance to all types of users given all the fishing tournaments, canoe and kayak races introduced in recent years, and with the opening of Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, He said that if the ramp is repaired or rebuilt, TDEC should not be allowed to “shirk” its responsibility to take care of it.

“It is too important to the people of Shelby County and surrounding counties and states,” Dance wrote.

Reach Tom Charlier at thomas.charlier@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2572 and on Twitter at @thomasrcharlier.