IUKA, MS TO BAY SPRINGS LAKE, MS

Monday, October 20th to Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

Day 77-78
Miles Traveled on Tuesday: 37
Total Miles Traveled: 1632


  Monday was a day to get some jobs done.  Angie went for groceries while Dan cleaned the boat.  We were supposed to get the autopilot fixed, however, the technician had a family emergency and was unable to start the work.  We decided to go ahead and move along the next day and have it fixed at another marina.  We enjoyed a nice dinner with fellow loopers, Frank and Gail aboard "Double Time". 

  Tuesday our journey was taking us down the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  This waterway connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River at Demopolis, AL and runs a total of 233 miles.  This project began in 1972 and was the largest civil works project ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers.  More earth was moved to create this waterway than what was moved to make the Panama Canal.  Construction at its peak employed more than 5,000 people and cost nearly two billion dollars.  It was dedicated in June 1985, but (believe it or not) it was completed ahead of schedule and the towboat "Eddie Waxler" was the first to use the new route in January 1985.  The waterway is divided into 3 sections - "Divide Cut", "Canal Section", and the "River".

  The "Divide Cut" connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River.  It is basically a "Ditch" with water. 

Divide Cut on Tenn-Tom

  Along the way, we saw structures called "baffles" which are used to prevent creeks from "rushing into" the waterway.

Baffles on Tenn-Tom 

  This boat, which we saw before entering the "Divide Cut" could have used some rushing water.

Boat aground - SAD !

  One town had to be moved for the building of the Tenn-Tom Waterway.  A marker was placed along the bank to mark the original location of the town of Holcut, MS.

Original Site of Holcut, MS

  At the end of the "Divide Cut", the channel ends with the beautiful Bay Springs Lakes.

Bay Springs Lake

  This lake is full on little fingers that are great for anchoring.  We found a nice anchorage in the Cotton Springs finger.  We got in early enough that we had time to take the dinghy to a dock on shore and walk for a while on a back country road.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  Then back to the boat to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Anchorage on Bay Springs Lake

Sunset at Bay Springs Lake anchorage