TVA inspecting dams following flooding

TVA's Dam Safety team is inspecting Ocoee No. 1 following historic flooding in Georgia and Tennessee.

The Ocoee dams performed as designed throughout the flood event. Inspections are routine following a significant weather event. There are no concerns related to the safety or structural integrity of any of the dams.

Heavy rainfall of 8 to 10 inches occurred in the area downstream from Blue Ridge Dam, impacting the McCaysville and Copperhill communities.   

During this flash flood event, TVA continuously monitored water levels and dams along the Ocoee River, adjusted operations due to the high flows, made all-partner notifications to local Emergency Management Agencies, and supported requests for information throughout the event.

TVA used Blue Ridge Dam to store water and adjusted water releases – including slowing and stopping the flow of water the day before and during the flash flood event – to help alleviate downstream flood levels.

Ocoee dams No. 2 and No. 3 are not used for flood control, and Ocoee No. 1 has only limited flood storage capacity.

During the flash flooding event, boards located on top of the Ocoee No. 1 spillway are designed to be overtopped and break away during high flows, allowing more water to pass downstream. Those boards will need to be replaced.

Parksville Lake, the reservoir behind the dam, will need to be lowered about 5 feet to accommodate the repairs. Lake levels will remain below normal through December, depending on additional rainfall.

TVA River Operations continues to monitor water levels. Flows continued to decrease overnight Thursday and into Friday, Nov. 6.

Use the Lake Levels app or visit Lake Levels on TVA.com for up-to-date information on water levels.

TVA responds to flash flooding along Ocoee River

Heavy overnight rainfall in the area of Copperhill, Tennessee, and McCaysville, Georgia, has led to flash flooding in the Blue Ridge and Ocoee watersheds.

As much as 8-10 inches of rain fell overnight in the small area between Blue Ridge and Ellijay. That water continues to move downstream.

TVA has stopped releases from Blue Ridge Dam so the reservoir can store water and help reduce downstream flooding. TVA River Operations is watching water levels and adjusting operations at Ocoee dams No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 as water moves through the system.

Remember to follow instructions from local emergency officials and avoid flooded roads and waterways.

For local information and directions, follow your local emergency management agencies in Fannin County, Georgia, and Polk County, Tennessee.