Good Morning!! We are going into new water today. How exciting!! We will be cruising on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Or the Tenn-Tom as the locals call it. This water way starts at the Tennessee River (MM 450.7) down to Demopolis, Alabama. It is 253 miles of twists, turns, switchbacks and beautiful scenery.
The plan for the Tenn-Tom was to shorten barge travel from Pensacola, FL to Chattanooga, TN from 1541miles to 771 miles. A grand undertaking by the folks that built the waterway. Actually, more earth was moved to make this Tenn-Tom waterway than during the construction of the Panama Canal. Few people know of the Tenn-Tom unless you live nearby. The Tenn-Tom also has less current for the north bound tows to push their barges as compared to the Mississippi. A great savings on fuel and time!
We are now south bound!! Truly. Going down 341 feet in 10 locks. Each lock has floating bollards which makes locking through easier. The first lock will drop us over 84 feet. Yeehaw!! Southbound. Our RDB will be on the right! Our LDB (left descending bank) will be on our left.
We are planning a 56 mile days today with 4 locks. Sounds doable except for the locks. We have heard that once you go through the first lock, the lock master will let the other locks know you are coming along. Hope so!
Leaving Grand Harbor Marina
The beginning of the Tenn-Tom is at the bottom end of Pickwick Lake and the beginning of Yellow Creek. The Tenn-Tom uses as much of the current Yellow Creek (River) as the creek wanders around the landscape. We will see reference to Yellow Creek as well as Tenn-Tom on the charts. A bit confusing until we remembered that several other water ways have done the same. This Tenn-Tom is not a straight line south.
What a gorgeous day to be on the water!
Entering Yellow Creek that becomes the Tenn-Tom
25 miles later….
We saw these raceways several times. Where Yellow Creek enters the waterway. We assume the raceway decreases the disturbance of the water near the inlets. No real surge or turbulence as the water enters the major waterway. Very pretty as well.
Yellow Creek entering the Tenn-Tom
Yellow Creek entering the Tenn-Tom – what the Chart plotter shows
We aren’t the only boaters enjoying this morning’s weather
Reflections as X marks the spot
Waiting at Whitten Lock
Looking northward inside Whitten Lock – going down 84Feet
We have seen very clean locks lately. I was excited to see slime!! Pretty colorful slime. I know, I get excited by the little things.
“Good Slime” found inside the Whitten lock
Going down!! Inside Whitten Lock
This Whitten Lock is quite tall and we aren’t quite sure why there are these massive doors are for. Unless they are used to move water in and out faster. They have hinges on them. Curious. Or they are gateways to other dimensions??
Large doors inside the Whitten Lock
Doors Opening – does that look like 84 feet?
Barge being loaded
When they made the Tenn-Tom waterway, they had to flood land. Stay in the channel or expect to hit a tree!! There are tree stumps everywhere!! A bit eery looking, though.
Tree Stumps out of channel
Approaching Montgomery Lock – down 33 feet – 3:30pm
Leaving Montgomery Lock at 3:53pm – quick ride to the bottom!
Scenery along the Tenn-Tom
Entering Rankin Lock – 4:40pm
Going down 31 feet at Rankin Lock
5pm – Scenery along the Tenn-Tom
Approaching Midway Marina – Tree Stumps!!
There were 3 of us cruising boats within the locks today. We all made it safely to Midway Marina, Fulton, MS. The Rankin Lock Master called the Midway Marina to let them know we were coming. The marina folks were kind enough to stay late and help us all get docked and settled. Very nice. A wonderful day on the Tenn-Tom!!
Sunset at Midway Marina, Fulton, MS
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