Lack of Rain Keeps TVA Reservoirs Low

May 21, 2007

Continued lack of rain this spring after a dry winter may mean less water in TVA reservoirs and more hazards for boaters this summer.

Since January, average rainfall in the Tennessee Valley above Chattanooga has been only 10.9 inches - 55 percent of normal. The four-month period of January through April 2007, was the second driest such period in 118 years.

Without a large amount of additional rain, the tributary reservoirs are unlikely to meet their target levels by June 1.

TVA operates the Tennessee River system and reservoirs year round to provide flood control and other benefits. TVA lowers the water levels in the reservoirs in the fall and winter to make room for rain that could otherwise cause flooding downstream. Then, each spring, TVA holds water back to help the reservoirs fill to higher levels for the summer recreation season.

The lack of rain primarily affects the reservoirs in east Tennessee, western North Carolina and north Georgia on tributaries of the Tennessee River. Reservoirs along the main part of the Tennessee River fluctuate less and can reach their summer levels quickly, even during dry weather.

Lower-than-normal water levels could leave some boat docks dry and cause hazards to boaters who might run aground on sand bars or hit tree stumps that are either exposed or closer to the surface than usual. On the Hiwassee River, recreation releases will still be provided daily beginning Memorial Day weekend, but the volume and duration of flow will be reduced until rainfall returns to more normal levels. Recreation releases on the Ocoee River will continue as scheduled.

TVA’s River Operations staff continues to work to get the reservoirs closer to summer levels by releasing only enough water to meet the minimum requirements downstream for protecting water quality and providing other key benefits.

“Since February we have been operating the river system in conservation mode,” said senior vice president of River Operations, Janet Herrin. “We are trying to store enough water to bring tributary reservoirs up to summer levels, and we are continuing to release only the flows needed to protect aquatic habitat and maintain water quality downstream of our dams.”

TVA monitors water levels throughout the river system and will keep the public informed about conditions. Information on the river system and specific reservoirs is available on TVA’s Web site at www.tva.com/river.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom