Posted on May 18, 2026
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CHATTAHOOCHEE, Fla. (WCTV) – This year has already become pivotal for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, as new discussions about dredging the Apalachicola River for the first time in 20 years move through public review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The proposal comes as officials weigh whether the river system can support deeper navigation channels needed for commercial barge traffic, which typically requires nine feet of depth compared to the roughly seven feet the Army Corps said it can maintain with all of its locks and dams.
That gap is expected to be a central issue in the debate ahead.
At the heart of the entire river system is the Jim Woodruff Dam, which regulates the flow of water that travels 106 miles south to the Gulf.
The structure sits where the Chattahoochee River and Flint River converge to form the Apalachicola River and also created Lake Seminole, a key reservoir for flood control, navigation and recreation across the region.
Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the dam system remains essential for managing water levels during both floods and droughts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District works with the National Weather Service and wildlife agencies to regulate releases from the dam, especially during extreme weather events.
Inside the powerhouse, water rushing through turbines generates electricity at Florida’s only remaining hydroelectric dam.
Hydropower Operations Manager Ron Stuckey said the system continues to provide renewable energy while saving taxpayer money.
“There’s such a huge benefit, you know, because we’re making the power, green power cheaply,” he said. “That’s just getting back to the taxpayers, saving them money.”
Originally authorized by Congress for flood control and navigation, construction on the Jim Woodruff Dam began in 1947 and was completed in 1957.
Deputy Operations Project Manager Matthew Like, who carries on a near 70-year legacy forged by mid-century features of engineering, said much of the system still relies on hands-on operation, including manually controlled spillway gates that can be adjusted during storms and tropical systems.
“The gates are manually operated and that’s rain or shine,” Like said.
The nearby navigation lock built for commercial barges now sees limited traffic, partly due to changing river conditions and drought. This time of year, the lock plays an environmental role, helping fish migrate upstream
This fish elevator allows species to bypass the dam.
At the base of the dam, the waters remain active with wildlife and anglers. Fisherman Matt Watkins lives in nearby Sneads and said the area continues to surprise visitors who often don’t realize the site exists until they arrive.
As public input continues and federal officials evaluate future navigation needs, the balance between environmental flow, energy production and commercial shipping remains at the center of the debate shaping the future of the Apalachicola River System.
