Portions of the Yellow Creek Bypass Channel could be cleared in the coming months. According to a press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Nashville District, they are planning a proposed action to perform channel clearing activities along portions of the channel.

The release states this work would occur within the Middlesboro Flood Reduction Project. The original construction of the project was authorized under Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1936.

The currently proposed maintenance activities would remove accumulated sediment and vegetation along approximately 1.5 miles of Bennetts Fork. The release states the entire reach of the project site would not be excavated, only where surveying has shown significant accumulation of sediment.

The project would be stage based on funding availability. Disposal areas used for previous channel clearing projects would be considered along with other alternative sites based on project design.

“Due to the topography of the Yellow Creek basin, the city of Middlesboro has a long history of flooding. In 1939, USACE completed the 3.9-mile diversion channel to convey floodwaters around Middlesboro to reduce damages incurred by flooding within Middlesboro and Bell County,” the release states. “The Bypass Channel diverts Stoney and Bennetts Forks around the city of Middlesboro. Since the completion of the Middlesboro Flood Reduction Project, remedial maintenance consisting primarily of the removal of accumulated sediments from portion of the Bypass Channel, has been necessary to restore the project’s capacity to convey floodwaters.”

If you have any information, comments or questions concerning the proposed action, you can submit written comments no later than 30 days from Nov. 26. Send your written comments to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, 110 9th Avenue South, Room A-405, Nashville, TN 37203 — Attn: CELRN-PMP. You can also email comments to david.a.adams@usace.army.mil.