South Cumberland Water Source Update

The drought in Tennessee has affected the availability of water for backpackers at South Cumberland. We have had rain the past week. Here is the latest news from the Park:

Ranger Jamie Hambrock from Stone Door Ranger Station: Water at Schwoon spring is just dripping one drop at a time. It may dry up at any moment. The rain has not affected the springs on our side much at all. Most riverbeds and springs are still dry. Greeter Falls plunge pool is the only reliable source of water on Stone Door side. I have not checked Ranger Falls since it rained, but it was dry before it rained. Even if it is flowing it probably won't last long.

Ranger George Shinn from Savage Gulf Ranger Station: Even with the rain we received the water is still very low, the ground soaked it up. Our springs are not completely dry anymore, they have a little wetness. The creeks have a little water puddled up here and there. Savage Falls is a large puddle with no water flowing and Horsepound Falls and Suter Falls completely dry with no plunge pool at all. But, the recent rain has saved us from the possible worry of wildfires.

Cheers,

Ron Castle