TVA To Hold Public Meeting on Repair Alternatives for Bear Creek Dam

May 24, 2007

RED BAY, Ala. - TVA will hold a public meeting Tuesday, June 19, to discuss and seek comments on a draft environmental review of alternatives to repair excessive leaking from Bear Creek Dam.

TVA’s preferred alternative, outlined in the draft environmental impact statement, is to repair the dam to operate as it was originally designed. The summer pool level of Bear Creek Reservoir would be restored to 576 feet elevation instead of 568 feet, which is currently being maintained for dam safety. Winter levels would continue to be about 565 feet.

The public meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Spirit Bank Arts and Entertainment Center, 303 Fourth Ave. SE, in Red Bay, Ala. TVA developed a draft environmental impact statement after reviewing various proposed alternatives to fix the leaking dam. The final environmental impact statement is expected to be completed this fall.

TVA will accept comments on the draft environmental impact statement through July 15. A copy of the draft document is available at the Red Bay and Haleyville libraries. It is also available on this site. Comments can be made on the TVA web site, at the public meeting, or by mail to Jim Williamson, TVA, 400 W. Summit Hill Drive., Knoxville, Tenn., 37902 (865) 632-6418.

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

TVA Newsroom