TVA, TWRA Partner to Restore Vital Sport Fish Habitat on Watauga Reservoir

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) are partnering to restore and enhance Watauga Reservoir fish habitat in Carter and Johnson counties in Upper East Tennessee.

Tropical Storm Helene – the remnants of Hurricane Helene – swept across the region on Sept. 27, 2024. That historic storm event, along with subsequent shoreline cleanup efforts, saw the destruction or removal of existing underwater fish habitat on Watauga Reservoir.

Using funding provided by TVA Public Land Management, TWRA will install at least 75 large habitat structures at approved sites within the reservoir. This initiative will provide long-term, high-quality habitat for a variety of fish species, contributing to the ecological health and sustainability of Watauga Reservoir.

“TWRA’s longstanding partnership with TVA reflects our shared vision for conservation and resilience,” TWRA Fisheries Biologist John Hammonds said. “Our continued collaboration on Watauga Reservoir, especially in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, demonstrates how working together can restore critical fish habitat, support ecological recovery and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resources and the people who enjoy them.”

Each new habitat structure will feature one to six trees anchored to a weighted base, such as concrete reef balls or other anchors. The habitat structures will be placed so that the natural brush is elevated off the reservoir bottom, a method shown to be one of the most effective and long-lasting for supporting fish populations. Sunken trees and other structures provide important environments to fish for foraging, shelter and spawning.

The weighted anchors also ensure that all components remain submerged and do not pose a hazard to navigation.

“Healthy waterways are one of our region’s most valuable natural assets, and it takes partnerships like this one to keep these assets thriving for the benefit of the public,” TVA Vice President, Environment & Stewardship Michael McCall said. “The collaboration with TWRA helps support stewardship resiliency and economic prosperity through all types of extreme weather events.”

State data shows that tourism accounted for more than $53 million in economic impact for Carter County in 2024, with direct visitor spending on recreation totaling close to $9 million, underscoring the importance of the ecological health of Watauga Reservoir.

Watauga’s Remarkable Rebound

As the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene nears, immense progress has been made in the restoration of Watauga Reservoir.

A designated Bill Dance Signature Lake, Watauga was selected as host site for the National Bassmaster College Classic, an elite fishing tournament featuring the nation’s top collegiate anglers Sept. 26-29.

The tournament features anglers representing Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee; Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina; the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama; and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

The new initiative led by TVA and TWRA to increase and enhance sport fish habitat across Watauga helps to further strengthen the reservoir’s attractiveness to recreation event organizers, like Bassmaster.

“The successful securing of the National Bassmaster College Classic for Watauga Lake through networking and partnerships stands as a testament to the diligent efforts of Carter County Leadership,” Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby said. “Hosting this tournament on the one-year anniversary of the Hurricane Helene flood holds special significance, as it serves as a tribute to our community’s remarkable resilience.

“This achievement, in conjunction with the restoration work undertaken by TVA and TWRA, exemplifies the remarkable progress we’ve made in fortifying both our water bodies and our community in the aftermath of such devastation.”

Media Contacts:

TWRA
Matt Cameron, [email protected]
(423) 522-2473