The Bear Creek Watershed includes four dams creating four reservoirs, with a total surface area of more than 8,360 acres. That's a lot of real estate, especially for three park rangers.
Brian Shackelford, Jordan Seahorn and Adam Mitchell, each of whom has a full-time law enforcement position with another agency, comprise the law enforcement arm of the Bear Creek Development Authority. With BCDA property spanning across Franklin, Marion and Winston counties, from Cedar Creek down to Quarter Creek, those three rangers spend much of their time driving from one BCDA property to the other.
When you consider the numbers of BCDA user permits have stayed consistent the last six years, that's a testament to the job done by these men in keeping BCDA property safe for the thousands of campers and visitors each year.
In 2010-11, a total of 5,391 annual BCDA permits were issued. That number increased to 5,653 in 2011-12, then held steady in 2012-13 at 5,192, 2013-14 with 5,165, 2014-15 with 5,072 and 5,279 were issued last year.
Daily user permits peaked in 2013-14 with 30,049 purchased. 2010-11 saw 28,693, 25,774 in 2011-12, 24,436 in 2012-13, 24,913 in 2014-15 and 21,328 last year. BCDA added a three-day permit option in 2014. The first year saw 711 of those sold with 732 last year.
Shackelford said many of those permits were purchased by 'regular users' of BCDA property, many of whom develop friendships with the park rangers.
“We deal occasionally with some domestic issues, some drunk and disorderlies but we've got that pretty well down and for the most part, the campgrounds are peaceful,” Shackelford said. “The problems we have are generally with outsiders coming in. We try to keep it family-oriented 100 percent with a zero tolerance for alcohol. If we have a problem with that, you are gone.”
BCDA rangers often work with Alabama Marine Police when patrolling the lakes. Franklin County has one marine officer, Pat Welton, assigned to the Bear Creek Lakes. Fish and game wardens also work BCDA property.When it comes to boat inspections, Shackelford said officers are generally looking for specific items on board.
“You're required to have a flotation device, life jackets, a throwable, a kill switch, fire extinguisher, audible device (whistle, airhorn, etc.) and at least a copy of your vessel registration and your vessel license,” Shackelford said.
“These items are all about safety. If we overlook it and you don't have that equipment on board, you can't use it and that's where your drownings come in.”
Shackelford said regular fishermen on BCDA lakes and fishing club members almost always have the required equipment on board.
“First, they respect the rules and regulations. And secondly, they can't afford not to,” Shackelford said.
Permit sales, along with campground and cabin rentals and water revenue, provide the sole means of funding for BCDA. Shackelford said the authority receives no state or federal tax money.
If you've never enjoyed a day on BCDA property, consider a trip down the Bear Creek Scenic Floatway, which begins below Upper Bear Creek Dam and ends at Bear Creek Reservoir.
The popular canoeing and kayaking route features undisturbed forests and fast-moving water and rapids along its 26-mile float stream.
Water is regularly released from Upper Bear Creek Reservoir to provide adequate flow on weekends and holidays through Labor Day weekend.
A free app is available for smartphones, TVA Lake Info, that allows users to check current flow conditions on TVA/BCDA waters.
Those canoeing and kayaking down the floatway need to plan to portage their boats at Upper Factory Falls and Lower Factory Falls, where portage is mandatory.
BCDA permits are required for recreational activities on the Bear Creek Scenic Floatway.
