Work Progresses at Blue Ridge Dam; Reservoir to Return to Normal Levels
Feb. 13, 2004
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The level of Blue Ridge Reservoir will return to normal as rainfall permits now that TVA engineers have completed an inspection of the penstock at the dam, and the road across the dam will reopen by May 28.
The penstock is an underwater pipe that carries water from the reservoir to the turbines in the powerhouse. The penstock at Blue Ridge had structural deficiencies since it was placed in operation by the Tennessee Electric Power Company in 1931.
Because of the deficiencies, a deep drawdown of the reservoir is required about every five years to inspect the condition of the penstock. The reservoir was lowered about 48 feet below the normal winter level last fall for the inspection.
The road across the dam was closed to allow construction of a 1,000-foot tunnel through the dam. The new tunnel will be used to move water from the reservoir to the river below the dam while the penstock is out of service for repairs.
Construction of a tunnel intake, which is located upstream of the dam, and rock excavation for the tunnel have been completed. Workers are currently installing a steel liner in the tunnel.
Repairs to the penstock, which will be made during the next scheduled drawdown, should eliminate the need for future deep drawdowns for periodic dam safety inspections. This will benefit the growing number of people who visit Blue Ridge Reservoir each year.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact:
Michelle Chang, Knoxville (865-632-8108) or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)
