TVA Increases Water Flow at Chickamauga To Help Meet Downstream Needs

August 4, 2008

Beginning Aug. 1, TVA increased the flow of water through Chickamauga Dam from 13,000 cubic feet per second to 25,000 cubic feet per second to continue to meet downstream flow requirements.

Increased flows at Chickamauga will continue at this rate until an unrestricted drawdown begins after Labor Day.

“As the river water gets warmer during the summer, we have to increase the flow to protect water quality and aquatic habitat and to provide cooling water for the power plants downstream,” said TVA Senior Vice President of River Operations Janet Herrin. “Unfortunately, this will result in lower water levels in the tributary reservoirs.”

TVA follows its “balancing guide” procedures to ensure that water is drawn equitably from the tributary reservoirs and that no reservoir loses a disproportionate amount of water. The reservoirs are currently about 10 feet below normal levels for this time of year because of continuing drought conditions.

TVA is not releasing water for the primary purpose of generating electricity at TVA’s hydroelectric dams, but more water moving through the system will enable TVA to generate some low-cost electricity, according to Herrin.

Herrin said that drought conditions are severely reducing how much low-cost electricity TVA can generate at its dams this summer. As a result, TVA must buy large amounts of electric power on the market. That power is typically generated from natural gas, making it very expensive, she said.

Low water conditions also create safety hazards on the reservoirs by exposing more boating hazards, including rocks, stumps, sandbars and shoals. Low water levels contribute to increased boat congestion and may make launching boats more difficult at some boat ramps.

Because of the hazards, boaters are urged to use caution at all times, especially if they are unfamiliar with the reservoir.

Tributary reservoirs that will see a change in elevation are Blue Ridge, Chatuge, Cherokee, Douglas, Fontana, Hiwassee, Norris, Nottely, South Holston and Watauga.

“Although reservoir levels are higher this year than last, rainfall and runoff are still well below normal for this time of year,” said Herrin. “We are managing the water we have to provide multiple benefits, but this effort has been made more difficult given the continued drought conditions.”

Information about current reservoir levels, a three-day forecast for levels and observed rainfall are posted daily on TVA’s web site at wwww.tva.com/river.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 159 power distributors that serve approximately 8.8 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, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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