On September 19, 1949, a handful of visionaries met on board the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer"s boat Mixson, intent on doing nothing short of changing history. This group became the nucleus of what is today the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association, and it was their stated purpose to create an organization that would modernize the Black Warrior-Tombigbee River System, enlarge its locks, electrify the locks machinery and promote development of the waterway stretching from Birmingham to the deepwater Port of Mobile. Three months later; the group met again, this time gathering at the McLester Hotel in Tuscaloosa to nominate officers and to call for the early completion of Lock Number 4, the early construction of Lock Number 8 and the first Corps of Engineers survey of the river system in 20 years,. After much discussion, it was decided to call the group the Warrior-Tombigbee River Improvement Association, and to use the slogan "Birmingham to the Gulf" in connection with the name. In September 1951, the Association changed its name to the Warrior-Tombigbee Development Association by unanimous vote of 200 delegates representing "the municipalities, the professions, industry, commerce, education and the general citizenry of the State of Alabama". the resolution called for modern and efficient navigation facilities on the waterway, effective flood control and conservation, additional water supply for industrial and domestic purposes, pollution control, expanded recreational facilities and overall better use of the river system. It went on to point out that, although " obsolete and inefficient, " the system had proven its worth by carrying more tonnage than all other Southeastern rivers combined. In August 1952, Lieutenant General Lewis A. Pick, Chief of Army Engineers, laid out a four-phase development plan at the Association"s annual meeting in Tuscaloosa. General Pick called for constructing of new locks and dams, enlarging others, building powerhouses to generate hydroelectric power for the region and enlarging the ship channel in the Mobile Harbor; General Pick estimated that the project would take nine years to complete, at a cost of 274 million. While a staggering sum at the time, the Army"s top engineer predicted direct annual benefits of $12.7 million as a result of the improvements. He concluded his remarks to the Association by saying, "it should be realized that this plan would completely modernize the waterway and would develope efficiently and economically the water resources of the basin so that it would be capable of serving the needs of the area for the next 100 years, "The general"s remarks met with thunderous applause, and the Warrior-Tombigbee Association now had a blueprint for success.
Just how successful the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway and the efforts of the Association would be, no one could have foreseen.
For the first time since 1915, improvements were being made to the Warrior-Tombigbee River System. Obsolete locks and dams were replaced with modern, efficient structures. A Navigable channel of nine feet was established. New powerhouses brought affordable and accessible electric power to thousands, and millions of tons of commerce began flowing between the states two largest cities.
In 1950, the first full year of the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association"s existence, a total of 2.6 million tons of cargo was transported on the river system, Initial studies indicated that that figure would increase to eight million tons a year by 1980. Once improvements began to be made to the waterway, however, tonnage began to increase far faster than anyone had imagined. The eight-million ton mark was achieved in 1966 - 14 years earlier than projected by 1980, some 16 million tons of cargo was being transported annually on the waterway. Today, more than 24 million tons of cargo moves on the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway each year. Since its inception, the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association has been an outspoken advocate for the waterway. The Association"s efforts have resulted in the completion of six new locks and dams that replaced the original 17, a deeper and wider ship channel in Mobile and the establishment of a reliable maintenance program, not to mention the incalculable benefits to commercial shippers, recreational boaters and consumers who rely on the Waterway for the economical movements of products and goods to market. Tow travel time was cut in half, while the size of payloads that can be accommodated on the Waterway has tripled.
The Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association included members from across the spectrum of the business community, including representatives from the shipping industry, municipalities and state agencies. The association provided a networking of opportunities for it"s members and enables members to work towards common goals-especially important in view of the role played by the numerous federal , state and local agencies that have interests in and responsibilities for waterway development and operation.
Members meet annually to attend workshops and presentations on the river industry and waterway transportation. The Association"s Long Range Planning Committee addresses strategic planning for the waterway, while the Users and Operation Committee focuses on operational and maintenance concerns. The Association"s Executive Committee provided guidance and policy decisions between meetings for the Board of Directors.
In Addition to its general membership, the Association has a full-time staff that addresses issues concerning the Waterway. The Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association conducts workshops and holds frequent meetings with local, state, federal and private agencies throughout the year and communicates with members through newsletters and special bulletins. The Association often prepares and presents expert testimony before Congress and at other public hearings and forums.
The Association works with the Corps of Engineers to assist in obtaining data and analysis that can be of benefit to potential developers, including estimates of impact and waterway traffic data. In addition, the Association can provide information on human resources and environmental quality and areas of special sensitivity, as well as general economic and water resource data.Association works with the Corps of Engineers to assist in obtaining data and analysis that can be of benefit to potential developers, including estimates of impact and waterway traffic data. In addition, the Association can provide information on human resources and environmental quality and areas of special sensitivity, as well as general economic and water resource data.
What began as the brainchild of a small group of people half a century ago has developed into a highly effective advocacy group for the state"s busiest inland waterway system. The members of the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association can look back with pride at their achievements of the past 50 years. Similarly, they can look ahead with confidence that the waterway will continue to thrive and serve the people of Alabama under the Association"s guidance and watchful stewardship.Association works with the Corps of Engineers to assist in obtaining data and analysis that can be of benefit to potential developers, including estimates of impact and waterway traffic data. In addition, the Association can provide information on human resources and environmental quality and areas of special sensitivity, as well as general economic and water resource data.Association works with the Corps of Engineers to assist in obtaining data and analysis that can be of benefit to potential developers, including estimates of impact and waterway traffic data. In addition, the Association can provide information on human resources and environmental quality and areas of special sensitivity, as well as general economic and water resource data.