The exciting rapids, spectacular scenery, excellent water quality, and remoteness of the river make it highly prized by whitewater boaters. The proposed dam would be located approximately 1 miles above the Clifty Bridge that is the starting place for whitewater boating. A dam at this location would eliminate whitewater boating in the Caney Fork River gorge as releases from the impoundment would not be expected to meet the large flows required for whitewater boating. Caving would also be impacted. Several caves are located at or near the river and continue to be formed by the river.
Much additional work needs to be done exploring alternatives.
Recently the South Cumberland Utility District completed a water well producing 300 gallons per minute. They and other utility districts are pursuing groundwater alternatives. There have been concerns raised by Crossville citizens about the water quality from reservoirs such as Watts Bar Reservoir. According to the Tennessee Division of Water Supply, there is no contamination issue with raw water from Watts Bar Reservoir used for drinking water at such cities as Rockwood and Spring City. Any contaminants of concern are only found in the sediment column of the reservoir not the water column.