Across TVA

Workers prepare to raise the height of Cherokee Dam, as part of TVA’s efforts to prepare for a worst-case flood.

TVA raising height of four dams

TVA is raising the elevation of four dams to help reduce the chance of flooding in the unlikely event of weather more extreme than any conditions ever recorded in the region.

TVA will place temporary, wall-like structures on top of earthen embankments of the Fort Loudoun, Tellico, Cherokee and Watts Bar dams in East Tennessee, raising the top elevation of each embankment about four feet. The extra height would prevent water from overtopping and damaging the earthen embankments.

TVA River Scheduling General Manager Chuck Bach says a recent update of TVA’s river-modeling program determined that the maximum floodwater elevations could be higher than previously calculated if a highly unlikely, worst-case winter rainfall were to occur in the upper part of the Tennessee Valley watershed.

He says this action is not related to recent rainfall that caused flooding in unregulated tributary streams, which was only a fraction of the amount used to forecast a “worst-case scenario.”

“The magnitude of rainfall used in the calculations has never actually occurred in the region, but it could produce floodwaters that would be higher than previously thought,” says Bach. “Although the probability of such an event is extremely rare, TVA must design and operate its dams to safely withstand such events.”

 

Running to support cancer cure

Gallatin Fossil Plant’s Mark Meece of Facilities Maintenance shows the metal won by Maintenance Coordinator John Payne, who was unavailable at the presentation, at Sherry’s Run, a 5k benefit run held in Lebanon, Tenn, last month. Sherry’s Run supports those with cancer, with an emphasis on colon cancer. Gallatin lost two employees to colon cancer this year. Gallatin had a team of 36 participating. This is the second year TVA has helped sponsor the event.

 

 

 

 

 

Learning where the CFC dollars go

James Triplett, a deckhand at Colbert Fossil Plant, talks with Randy Parker from the Cramer Children’s Center, at Colbert’s Combined Federal Campaign fair Oct. 23. The center provides services for child-abuse victims in the North Alabama area. The nonprofit organization offers forensics and counseling at no cost. At the fair, 11 organizations provided displays and information on their services.

Recognizing TVA

The Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America recently recognized TVA for its support of the Scouts through Chattanooga-area volunteer activities, Community Connection Volunteer Grants and CFC contributions. Front row, from left, are Andrew Miller, Eagle Scout; Christopher Barnett, Webelos; Chad Miller, Webelos; Damon Miller, Boy Scout. Back row, from left, are Van Wardlaw, Chattanooga-area CFC Chair; Kevin Beirne, Cherokee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America; Craig Faulkner, Nuclear Power Group; Bill Lewis, River Operations; Donnie Beene, Fossil Power Group; and Skip Markham, Office of Environment & Research.

Going for the goal

Bruce Pearl, University of Tennessee head basketball coach, autographs basketballs for Stacey Clark with the United Way Agency and John Trawick, TVA vice president of Strategy, Pricing & Contracts, at the Smoky Mountain Region Combined Federal Campaign kickoff in Knoxville Sept. 24. Also helping with the kickoff were Bert Bertlekamp, Voice of the UT basketball Vols; Tammy Wilson, TVA vice president of Retirement Services; and Trawick, TVA CFC executive chairperson. This year’s overall goal for the Smoky Mountain Region CFC, which includes TVA and other area federal agencies, is $720,000. TVA’s portion of the goal is $500,000. This year’s theme is “iCan.”

Wilson is serving as executive chairperson of the Smoky Mountain Region CFC. Participating federal agencies will complete their campaigns in early December. Wilson will oversee the Smoky Mountain Region CFC in 26 counties in East Tennessee, two in North Carolina and one each in Kentucky and Virginia. In addition to Trawick, TVA employees working with Wilson on the campaign include Jason Woodle and Susan Haisley, TVA campaign co-chairs.