On Tuesday, representatives from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Choctaw County took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent renovations to McCarty’s Ferry Public Boat Ramp on the Tombigbee River about 14 miles south of Butler, Alabama.
“The updates here at McCarty’s Ferry will benefit anglers, boaters and hunters in the local community and surrounding areas for decades to come,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR commissioner. “We’ve been renovating public boat ramps throughout the state so that more people have quality access to all the great outdoor recreation opportunities that our many waterways have to offer. We are grateful for the partnerships that made this project a reality and look forward to completing several additional improvement projects currently in the works.”
The facility was temporarily closed in September 2024 for a major renovation. During the closure an additional launching slab was installed. Due to chronic siltation issues at the facility’s existing launching slab, the new launching slab was constructed directly into the river channel. The existing launching slab was also extended and will be available for use during periods of high water. Two concrete parking lots were also constructed and the 1.5 mile entrance road has been repaved. The new facility is Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, accessible.
Choctaw County Probate Judge Jason Sturdivant highlighted the state and local efforts to complete the project.
“On behalf of the Choctaw County Commission, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their generous funding and invaluable assistance in completing the McCarty’s Ferry Road and boat ramp project,” Judge Sturdivant said. “Their support has been instrumental in enhancing access to our natural resources and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for the people of Choctaw County.”
Funding for the project was primarily provided through the Wildlife Restoration Program under the federal Pittman-Robertson Act. Additional funding was provided by Choctaw County and Innovate Alabama, a statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help businesses grow roots in Alabama.
Chuck Sykes, director of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, is a Choctaw County native and expressed how important the McCarty’s Ferry boat ramp is to locals for accessing outdoor recreation.
“Growing up only a few miles from this ramp I know how important the Tenn-Tom is to this area,” Director Sykes said. “Choctaw County is blessed with a tremendous amount of natural resources in and around this river. This particular ramp is critical to providing access to the middle part of the county for anglers and hunters alike.”
State Senator Bobby Singleton, who represents Alabama Senate District 24 that includes Choctaw County, was unable to attend the ribbon cutting, but he praised the partnerships that made the McCarty’s Ferry Public Boat Ramp renovation possible.
“I am thankful for this partnership between the Department of Conservation, Innovate Alabama and the Choctaw County Commission to bring this project together,” Sen. Singleton said. “This public access site will be great for the people of Senate District 24, and I look forward to similar projects in west Alabama with Commissioner Blankenship in the near future.”
The McCarty’s Ferry renovation is part of a series of boat ramp improvement projects currently in progress throughout the state. Additional boating access sites in south Alabama that have been recently completed include the J.E. Turner Mount Vernon Public Boat Ramp in Mobile County, McIntosh Bluff Public Boat Ramp on the Tombigbee River in Washington County and Claiborne Public Boat Ramp in Monroe County. There are more than 30 additional boating access projects currently in the works.
The facility is free to use and is open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. For more information about this and other public boating and fishing access areas provided by ADCNR, visit outdooralabama.com or call the Fisheries Section of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division at (334) 242-3471.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
