Lack of Rain Keeps TVA Reservoir Levels Below Normal

May 28, 2008

Although water levels in TVA reservoirs are higher than they were last spring, drought conditions still exist, particularly in the eastern half of the Tennessee Valley, and almost all of the large tributary reservoirs are below targeted summer levels.

So far this year, average rainfall in the Valley above and east of Chattanooga totals 17 inches -- about 80 percent of normal. However, the amount of rain that was not absorbed by the ground or vegetation and actually reached streams, rivers and reservoirs is only 54 percent of normal for the year.

Without a significant amount of rain (from 3 to 6 inches), the 10 largest tributary reservoirs are unlikely to reach their targeted recreational levels by June 1. Levels of those reservoirs are currently an average of 6 feet below normal. Only Blue Ridge Reservoir in North Georgia is at a normal level. South Holston Reservoir in Upper East Tennessee is 10 feet below its normal level for this time of year.

“Compared to last year, which was the driest year on record in 118 years, elevations of the tributary reservoirs at the beginning of the summer recreation season are considerably higher but still below normal,” said TVA Senior Vice President of River Operations Janet Herrin. “We will need above-normal rainfall during the summer months to maintain these levels, and we will continue to need additional rain to fully recover from the drought.”

TVA operates the Tennessee River system and reservoirs year round to provide flood control and other benefits. TVA lowers water levels in the reservoirs in the fall and winter to store water that could cause flooding downstream. In the spring, TVA holds the water back to help fill the reservoirs to higher levels for the summer recreation season.

“Since February 2007, we have been operating the river system in conservation mode,” Herrin said. “We are trying to store enough water to bring tributary reservoirs up to summer levels, and we are continuing to release minimum flows needed to protect aquatic habitat, maintain water quality downstream and provide other key benefits.”

TVA’s hydro generation, its least expensive generation source, is 56 percent of normal since Jan. 1 and 47 percent of normal for the 2008 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2007.

The lack of rain primarily affects reservoirs in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and North Georgia on tributaries of the Tennessee River. Reservoirs along the main part of the Tennessee River fluctuate less and can reach summer levels quickly, even during dry weather.

TVA monitors water levels throughout the river system and will keep the public informed about conditions. Information on the river system and specific reservoirs is available on TVA’s Web site at www.tva.com/river.

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

Gil Francis, Knoxville, (865) 632-8031
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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