Barges navigate the Tennessee River carrying a wide variety of cargo such as coal from Kentucky and Ohio and grain from various points up and down the river. This sign denotes the tie-off points just below the Lake Guntersville Dam. Before 9/11 I would often go down to the dam to watch the tow boats lock through with their loaded barges, but the security arrangements these days preclude anyone getting close to the dam by any means other than by water.

Another interesting aspect of this area around the Guntersville dam is that there are nesting Eagles nearby which draw large crowds of bird watchers and photographers.