Boone Lake would typically be buzzing with the sounds of outboard engines, skipping jet skis, and waves crashing off the shoreline, yet many of these familiar sounds have been replaced by the splash of paddles and flowing water as the lake has become two free-flowing rivers.
The current lake level is at about 1,352 feet above mean sea level. At this time last year, it was at 1,382. A 30-foot difference in the lake level has changed it from a busy recreational boating lake to a river that is mainly being enjoyed by fishermen and a few boaters.
Veteran TWRA Officers Matt Swecker and David Crum have worked Boone for many summers and have never seen it this devoid of activity. But this is for good and obvious reasons: there’s less water and less access.
“The only public access to Boone this summer is the TVA access area at Pickens Bridge,” said Officer Crum. “And it becomes congested causing parking and access issues. Please be courteous.”
Officer Swecker who would normally be busy investigating boating accidents and enforcing boating safety laws says that there’s been one reported boating accident earlier in the spring which resulted in a fatality and there’s been zero arrests for Boating Under the Influence.
It is certainly not the Boone Lake most people are used to.
Yet both officers agree that they’ve seen an increase in a couple of things: kayaks and fishermen.
Officer Crum said, “Last weekend, I inspected three boats and 16 kayaks.” He points out that there are several safety issues associated with kayaks, most notably having and wearing a personal flotation device. “While the law only requires children under 13 years of age to wear life jackets, one must be kept onboard each kayak at all times.” A few other safety concerns with kayaks are that unless they are brightly colored, they blend in with the shoreline making it difficult for other boats to see.
Also, because the navigable river channel is so narrow on many parts of the lake, motorboats are coming in close proximity to them while passing. Officer Crum urges boaters to be cautious of kayaks when boating on Boone.
Concerning fishing, the increase in fishermen can only mean one thing…that the fishing is really good. “Black bass, striped bass and hybrid striped bass are biting really well on Boone right now,” said Officer Swecker. “So there are still several bass boats and people fishing from pontoon boats.” It should also be noted however that the lone reported boating accident on Boone this year involved a fisherman who was killed when his boat ran aground in the early morning hours.
Officers Swecker and Crum offer this information for those who choose to enjoy Boone this summer:
-Don’t operate by only using a GPS. The lake is different this year.
-Watch out for underwater and floating hazards. Many are not marked.
-Learn the waterway in daytime at slow speeds. Take extra caution after dark.
-If possible, have another person onboard to act as a lookout for hazards.
-Wear your life jacket and slow down.
-Be mindful that the channel is narrow and boats will be closer to you.