The Powell River at Well Being Retreat Center
The scenic Powell River borders Well Being Retreat Center for 2 1/2 miles. It is the 2nd largest free-flowing (un-dammed) river in Tennessee. According to US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Powell River is "one of the most biologically diverse rivers in a temperate climate anywhere in the world." Ducks, eagles, otters, beavers, fish, turtles and herons abound.
The Powell River Kayak & Canoe Regatta
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Don & Patty conceived the Powell River Kayak and Canoe Regatta and Don served as its Chairperson for its first six annual Regattas. The Regatta is a function of the Claiborne County Tourism Commission and is a 12 mile race held every April beginning at Well Being Retreat Center. Proceeds from this event are used for the Powell River Blueway project which locates, maps, improves and informs the public about locations that can be used to access the Powell River.
Caring for the River
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Well Being Foundation supports the ecological health of the Powell River. Towards this end, we helped to initiate a GIS project with Lincoln Memorial University in nearby Harrogate, Tennessee which investigated key parameters of the river such as concentrations of possible pollutants, water temperature, and the presence of important aquatic food species (insects). As a result of these studies. US Fish & Wildlife determined that the river was clean enough to justify the reintroduction of endangered species of freshwater mussels. This picture is of such a reintroduction on Well Being's riverfront with attendees from TVA, The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Department of Fisheries.
Freshwater Mussels
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Freshwater Mussels are clam-like animals that have an astonishing reproductive cycle, are immensely important to the health of the river and which are threated with extinction in many other rivers. Mussels filter river water to eat the micro-organisms in the water, so they clean the river water but are subject to any toxins in the water. As such, they are considered an "indicator species" for the health of the river. The Powell River was evaluated for sites to re-introduce endangered specie mussels. Four sites were selected, one of which is on Well Being's river frontage.
Fishing
There is excellent smallmouth bass and Redeye fishing in the Powell River that surrounds Well Being Retreat Center. Catch & release only please.