Calfkiller River Cleanup restores kayaking spot

On June 22, the community came together to clean up and preserve one of White County’s beautiful, natural resources: the Calfkiller River.

The Calfkiller River, which is believed to be named after a Cherokee chief who lived in the valley when the first European-America settlers arrived in the early 1800s, runs through White County and provides plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities for the community. While hiking, kayaking, fishing, and swimming take place in or along the banks of the river throughout the year, the history of the Calfkiller River points to a time when the waterway was essential to the life of the community.

Prior to the Civil War, an iron works and cotton mill operated along the banks of the river near where the Highway 111 bridge now sits, and Civil War skirmishes were fought along the banks of the river. In 1902, the Sparta Light and Power Company built a waterwheel powered electric plant along the Calfkiller River, which was replaced by a more modern plant that used a concrete dam to divert water through a flume to a powerhouse located further downstream after the original plant burned down, in 1907. The dam, which was operational into the 1930s, is still visible from Highway 111 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

So, it only seems right that members of the community would gather to preserve the treasure of the Calfkiller River. Close to 30 volunteers spent their Saturday morning walking the banks or kayaking the waterway to collect a combined 400 pounds of trash that had been left behind over the past year.

“It’s always hard to know what to say because I hope our actions speak louder than our words in the community and our reach exceeds our physical grasp,” Samantha Satterfield, owner of Sunseekers Outfitters and the coordinator for the second annual Calfkiller River Clean Up Day, said. “We couldn’t do this without the help of friends and volunteers. Jackson Kayak, the White County Litter Grant Program, and Trail Head Grub all have such a love for this community and the outdoors.”

Jeff Leach, with Jackson Kayak - one of the day’s sponsors - said his company is proud to be able to participate in the Calfkiller River Cleanup Day and help White County.

“We can’t thank the community enough for all of the support they have given us over the years since we opened in White County,” Leach said, “and we are willing to partner with them in any way that we can as a symbol of our gratitude.”

White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson was also on hand to help get the day started and ensure that all volunteers had what they needed.

“We appreciate the help of the community and the organizations that have donated both time and resources to help keep our waterway beautiful,” Robinson said. “Waste, regardless of whether it is accidentally left behind or intentionally deposited, provides a hazard to the wildlife that makes the river their home. While our citizens enjoy recreational activities on the Calfkiller River and we want to keep the river enjoyable for them, we also have an obligation to protect the natural resources we have in our county.”

Satterfield agreed with the county executive having said the initiative behind the Calfkiller River Cleanup Day is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of the river. and that by removing the litter and debris, crews are not only enhancing the aesthetic value of the waterway but also protecting the wildlife that depends on it.

“We love the Calfkiller River and want to make it accessible, safe and keep it beautiful for everyone,” Satterfield summed up the day. “We also want to be a resource for safety and education because the outdoors should be a safe and accessible place for everyone to enjoy.”