The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) has recently opened a new boat landing on Shoal Creek near Florence, Ala. (Next to Shoals Creek Bridge on HWY 72) Construction of the new facility began in October 2015 and includes a 20-foot-wide launching slab and paved parking for 36 truck and trailer rigs. WFF secured the property from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for the purpose of constructing a new public boat launch to meet the growing demand of the area.
The landing is located near Florence, Ala., on the west side of Shoal Creek on the Wilson Reservoir directly across Highway 72 from the existing public boat ramp. The facility can be accessed off of Highway 72 immediately west of the bridge crossing over Shoal Creek.
“The new access area was necessary since the land surrounding the existing boat ramp left no room for expansion to accommodate any additional facilities,” said Damon Abernethy, WFF Assistant Chief of Fisheries. “The Conservation Department partnered with ALDOT and the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide the new modern public boat landing facility, which will accommodate about three times the number of boaters.”
The new facility will be maintained through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is funded through excise taxes on the sale of outboard motor fuel and fishing equipment, and through the sale of State fishing licenses. For more information about this and other public boating access areas provided by ADCNR, visit http://boatramps.dcnr.alabama.gov/ or call the WFF Fisheries Section at 334-242-3471.
