State-sponsored work to begin on Tennessee rivers for debris removal

Contracted crews will move in next week to remove debris from waterways jammed-up with Hurricane Helene damage.

A report from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said the firm of Phillips & Jordan, Inc. was selected for the work on the Nolichucky, Pigeon, and French Broad rivers along with Watauga Lake in Carter County plus multiple channels within Johnson County.

From sediment to man-made materials, workers will take out items that threaten the health of the river, increase flood risk, and hamper the use of the rivers by communities and businesses.

A TEMA statement said the removal will take several months.

(IMAGE: Video from office of Bill Lee Governor of Tennessee)