Tennessee Valley Authority
Flood Damage Reduction
Flooding was a serious problem in the Tennessee Valley region before TVA dams and reservoirs were built. Because of poor farming practices, floods washed away the topsoil, causing severe erosion and limiting farmers’ ability to grow crops. The potential for flood damage increased as cities and towns were built along rivers and in some cases, lives were lost.
In an average year, the TVA system prevents about $240 million in flood damage in the TVA region and along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. To date, the operation of this system has prevented over $5.4 billion in flood losses across the TVA region, including about $4.9 billion in damage averted at Chattanooga. The system has also prevented about $470 million in flood losses in the lower Ohio and Mississippi River drainage basins.
Learn more about how TVA manages the Tennessee River system to reduce flood damage:
- How does rainfall affect flood potential?
- What is the most flood-prone city in the Valley?
- How much water can TVA store?
- How do reservoirs help reduce flood damage?
- What is a reservoir operating guide?
- How does TVA monitor and control the river system?
- How does TVA help reduce flooding outside the Valley?
- How does TVA manage floodplain development?