MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 9, 2008 – Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr., Corps of Engineers
Memphis District commander Col. Tom Smith and other officials will view progress on the Wolf River
environmental restoration and recreation project tomorrow (July 10) at 7:30 a.m. The officials will
assemble at the Arlington-Collierville Road construction access road and drive to various locations
along the river to observe the latest work (directions at end of the News Release).
The Wolf River environmental restoration project is designed to prevent drainage of valuable
wetlands and arrest “head cutting” - a kind of damaging erosion - by stabilizing the Wolf River channel
and that of some of it tributaries between Houston Levee Road and Collierville-Arlington Road.
“This project provides the anchor and beginning of the County’s Comprehensive Greenbelt
System which truly exemplifies our Sustainable Shelby Initiative,” Mayor Wharton said.
The complete project includes a number of weirs, acquisition of 2,000 acres to serve as a wildlife
corridor, construction of recreational trails, and two boat ramps. A weir is a small overflow-type dam
used to raise the level of a river or stream and slow the water flow to reduce erosion and head cutting
“This project is very exciting for us as it gives us a great opportunity to translate our “green”
environmental operating principles into real action,” Col. Tom Smith, the Corps’ Memphis District
commander said. “We are anxious to do our part to ensure this waterway and its surroundings remain a both treasure today and for future generations.”
The total environmental restoration and recreation project cost is currently set at $12.5 million
with $8 million paid through Federal funding and $4.5 million paid by the local cost sharing partners of
Shelby County and Chickasaw Basin Authority with assistance from the City of Collierville and the
Wolf River Conservancy.
The Corps of Engineers expects to complete work on the project in December 2010.
Release no. 08-15