Maury County leaders debate reviving the Columbia Dam project

MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Maury County commissioners have reignited a debate about whether to revive the Columbia Dam project on the Duck River, which was halted in 1983.

The Duck River has been called one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America and concerns over endangered species caused the project to stop after millions were spent in construction.

Decades ago, hundreds of families in Maury County had portions of their land taken to complete the dam project — including the grandparents of vice chairperson of Columbia Now, Jason Gilliam.

“Every day I drive by there and it’s like an old wound that never heals,” Gilliam told News 2. “You just keep thinking, ‘Well, that used to be part of mine and my family.'”

Gilliam, who is also a board member of the Maury County Water System, said there has been a renewed push to bring the dam back to solve Maury County’s water issues.

“We are in dire need for water,” Gilliam added. “…There is a newfound vigor in us to bring this dam back.”

Even though Doug Jones, president of the Duck River Conservancy, said the organization doesn’t have an official stance on the reconstruction of the dam, Jones shared some concerns about the project with News 2.

“Dams don’t do anything good for the rivers — I’ll say that,” Jones said.

Earlier this month, Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt weighed in on the matter in a Facebook post.

“There is no doubt a dam would solve our water issues for a very long time and bring recreation and revenue to Maury County,” the post reads, in part.

However, in the post, she acknowledged that the dam’s construction would take several years and would need federal support. She added that she would only back the project if state leaders secure a financial commitment from the federal government and the Tennessee Valley Authority, of which she said she was “doubtful.”

“We have support,” Gilliam told News 2. “We have support in Washington. We have all the local support.”

Gilliam said Columbia Dam Now, a self-described effort to restore the dam, has entered talks with state leaders about securing funding.

The Maury County Commission will vote on whether they will show support for the project at their Monday night meeting.