Grand Harbor to Bay Springs Marina

Grand Harbor to Bay Springs Marina

Yellow River upstream of the "Cut"

Today was an option day, that is, we had identified many options. Visit Shiloh? Do grocery shopping prior to entering the Tombigbee Waterway? Get fuel? Stay an extra night? Move on? Will fog again shorten our day? Well, we got groceries and fuel and traveled starting at noon to Bay Springs a nice little marina just before the Whitten lock the first of several in a short series. Bay Springs is a family owned marina that was built two years before the lake had water, lots of positive thinking in this family. We met the oldest daughter, who was very pleasant and helpful.

The "Cut" 27 miles up to 175 feet below the hilltop

This first section, 37 miles, of the Tombigbee Waterway is called the “Cut”, 150 million cubic yards of material was removed to form the channel through this area. The ““Cut”” connects the Tombigbee River to the Tennessee River, pretty impressive accomplishment. When completed the “Cut” was described to be as interesting and beautiful as traveling through a stone quarry, now however nature has beautified the area. The “Cut” is a narrow channel 1300 feet wide, we passed one tow headed our direction and three going up river. 

We called each tow for passing instructions and received a response to pass on the 1 or 2 whistle. The tows in this part of the river are a bit smaller than others we have seen and generally are between 2 and 6 barges.

Bay Springs Lake

After 28 miles the “Cut” then opens into Bay Springs Lake with many inlets and bays a really beautiful area.

Good day to travel with sunshine temperatures in the mid 70s, south winds and partly cloudy skies. All in all a very enjoyable cruising day.