Maury County committee forwards resolution to consider rebuilding Cottage Creek dam

A Maury County committee voted to forward a resolution supporting study of rebuilding a dam at Cottage Creek to the full county commission for consideration and approval.

The resolution, introduced by members of a local advocacy group and discussed at length by county commissioners, would begin by seeking formal approval from Maury County and then pursue signatories from municipalities and neighboring counties, a commissioner said.

Why it matters: supporters said a rebuilt dam would secure a local water supply and generate recreation and sales-tax revenue, while others noted the project previously halted amid environmental litigation and an endangered-species listing.

Committee discussion focused on the history of the prior project, short- and long-term options for water supply, local outreach to other governments and the potential economic effects. Commissioner Simmons asked whether the county should seek endorsements from nearby municipalities and counties, saying, “My 1 question that I have is should we get Spring Hill, Mount Pleasant and Columbia to sign off on this resolution as well? I think that would be a good idea to get the whole county, even maybe even some regional folks as well, you know, Marshall County, the Hickman County area, everybody.”

Mr. Gillum, who spoke as a member of the local group promoting the project, described the previously started dam and the engineering status before construction stopped: “The dam was 2,005 feet wide. It was a hundred and 8 feet tall. It had 4 gates. And it was at 93% completion when they stopped the project.” He and other speakers said engineers told the group the project had been two concrete pours from completion.

Commissioners discussed alternatives and interim steps. Commissioner Morrow said he supported rebuilding the dam but that “the dam is a long term solution. We're gonna need some short term, and I think there's 3 different pipelines that are being looked at. I think we need at least 1 of them, if not more.” Another speaker referenced an estimated pipeline cost, saying, “Pipeline, a billion dollars.”

Several commissioners emphasized potential local economic benefits if a reservoir were completed. Commissioner Pavetti said, “This is gonna bring recreation. This is gonna bring marinas… This is gonna bring catfish restaurants. This is gonna bring all that. But seriously, I mean, you know, the sales tax revenue in the end is what it's gonna bring.”

Speakers also noted the environmental and legal history that halted the earlier project. A commissioner said environmental groups brought several cases and that the stoppage was tied to concerns about a pearly mussel that at the time had been treated as an endangered-species concern; the commissioner added the mussel has since been found in other rivers.

After discussion, the committee voted by voice to forward the resolution to the full commission. The motion passed by voice vote; the committee chair said, “All those in favor, signify by saying aye,” and then, “Any opposed, same sign. And that moves on.” The meeting record did not provide a roll-call tally or identify a mover and seconder in the transcript excerpt.

The proponents said their immediate plan is to start with Maury County bodies and then seek adoption or similar resolutions from city councils in the county and neighboring counties. The committee’s action simply advances the matter to the full commission; no final decision to rebuild or fund construction was made at the committee meeting.

The item will be placed on the full commission’s agenda for consideration at a future meeting, according to the committee vote and comments from speakers.