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Nolichucky Dam

Nolichucky Dam Update

4 p.m. ET, September 28, 2024

After a thorough review by TVA’s Dam Safety team, we have determined the Nolichucky Dam is stable and secure. We are notifying local emergency management agencies that we are transitioning to an advanced monitoring mode of the dam and exiting the emergency condition.

TVA Dam Safety personnel are onsite conducting inspections. Crews are waiting for the water to recede to do additional safety assessments.

TVA’s River Forecast Center predicts the Nolichucky headwaters have crested. Water levels are receding at about 1 foot an hour. This has been corroborated with onsite observations by TVA Dam Safety crews. 

The Nolichucky Dam peak water elevation hit 1266.0’, which is 9.5 feet over the record elevation of 1256.5’ set on November 6, 1977. The 1.3 million gallons per second flow rate at 11 p.m. on September 27, more than doubles the flow rate of 613,000 gallons per second from the previous regulated release in 1977.

On September 27 at about 11:30 p.m. ET, out of an abundance of caution, TVA issued a Condition Red alert, which meant that a breach was imminent. The alert was issued due to a lack of visibility at the dam and high water levels at the dam that were rising at that time about 2 feet per hour. TVA engaged with TEMA and local emergency management agencies.

Nolichucky Dam Drone Video - Download

Overall River System Update

Following Helene, TVA continues to manage high water levels to protect communities across seven states using the agency’s sophisticated system of dams to control flooding along the Tennessee River watershed.

  • TVA is spilling or sluicing water at dams across the system including on the mainstem Tennessee River.
  • The public should be mindful of changing lake levels on tributary lakes and heed National Weather Service watches and warnings.
  • Our River Management team remains staffed 24/7 and will continue to monitor this situation.
  • Video update from James Everett, General Manager, TVA River Forecast Center
  • Click here for additional photos/videos

Each year, TVA prevents about $309 million in flood damage in the TVA region and along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. To date, TVA has prevented over $9.7 billion in flood losses across the Tennessee Valley, including about $8 billion in damage averted at Chattanooga—the Valley’s most flood-prone city. The system has also prevented about $778 million in flood losses in the lower Ohio and Mississippi river drainage basins.

Stay tuned to credible news sources and the National Weather Service for updated conditions. You can also get hourly updates on reservoir levels on the TVA website and the TVA Lake Info App.

9 a.m. ET, September 28, 2024

TVA is monitoring the situation at Nolichucky Dam as remnants of Hurricane Helene brought 19+ inches of rain to the area, causing flash flooding.

As of 9 a.m. ET, September 28, the Nolichucky Dam is intact. Local Emergency Management Agencies have ordered evacuations, which are still in place.

Dam Safety assessments are ongoing and will continue for a few days as the water recedes. While the immediate concerns from last night have reduced, there remains a lot of work to be done to confirm all dam safety risks are mitigated.

TVA’s River Forecast Center predicts that the Nolichucky headwaters have crested. We estimate that water is receding at approximately 1 foot an hour. We estimate that water levels reached 8 feet over the record elevation.

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Dam Safety a 24/7/365 Priority

  • TVA is a national leader in dam safety. TVA has invested over $1 billion in dam safety projects since 2010.
  • TVA conducts dam inspections monthly to assess the general condition of dams. Detailed inspections occur every 12-15 months, and thorough investigations take place every five years or after significant weather or seismic events.
  • TVA’s multi-year Dam Safety Assurance Program includes inspections, independent reviews, maintenance and repairs to ensure dams comply with safety standards and are better able to protect people and property.

Nolichucky Dam

  • Nolichucky Dam was completed in 1913.
  • The dam is 94 feet high and 482 feet long.
  • Nolichucky Dam is not a hydroelectric facility. It has no power generators and produces no electricity.
  • Davy Crockett Reservoir stretches six miles upstream from Nolichucky Dam.

Learn more about Nolichucky Dam

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