Tim Adkins

tadkins@mtcngroup.com

As hundreds of people flock to Kingston Springs on the weekends to canoe and kayak the Harpeth River, law enforcement officials are stepping up patrol as well.

“The number of people who visit the Narrows of the Harpeth has exploded in the last few years, and some things have gotten out of control such as drinking and drug activity,” Cheatham County Sheriff Mike Breedlove said.

On Saturday, the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency teamed up to address issues such as traffic, crowd control, parking and misbehavior on the water.

By the end of the day, Breedlove said officers gave out 54 citations for violations ranging from possession of a handgun, drugs and underage drinking. One person was arrested for public intoxication.

Canoeing and kayaking makes splash on Harpeth River

In addition, many boaters were not wearing life jackets, and they were provided one to finish their float.

“What we did on Saturday appeared to have a positive effect on Sunday. There were few problems the next day and people were wearing life jackets,” he said.

Breedlove said the Harpeth River State Park rangers have stepped up patrol, and he and Chief Deputy Tim Binkley are at the river almost every weekend to assist as well.

He added his department and the TWRA will be returning on future weekends throughout the summer to monitor the river so he encourages everyone to be safe.

The sheriff noted that parking is limited in the area, and Highway 70 is always congested with people parking along the roadway near the canoe businesses.

State park safety concerns shared by county

“We continue to help with traffic control and getting people moving after they get off the river,” he said.

Breedlove said he’s been told that the state hopes to have additional funding in place by next summer to assist with extra security on the river.