Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA Region Precipitation
Rain Gauge Data
TVA receives data from 300 rain gauges strategically located in watersheds across the TVA region. Most of these devices are owned and maintained by TVA.
TVA uses self-emptying rain gauges that funnel precipitation into a bucket that tips when a certain amount of rainfall is collected. The gauge records the number of tips and transmits information to TVA by satellite hourly or every three hours, depending on the gauge.
TVA also receives data from 62 gauges on the Cumberland River system that are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and 29 gauges in watersheds throughout the TVA region that are operated by the U.S. Geological Survey.
TVA uses this information together with data from stream gauges and Doppler radar to make water management decisions — for example, whether to store the water coming into the river system during flood events or release it to make room for potential floodwaters yet to come. The National Weather Service, municipalities, and other government agencies also use data from TVA’s rain gauges.
To access the rain data, use the pull-down menus below. Select a gauge location and then choose the time period that interests you.