2018 was the wettest year on record for the Tennessee Valley Authority's coverage area, and 2019 is continuing the trend.
We could have an additional 5-7 inches of rain in East Tennessee through next Thursday, and that means TVA officials are making plans to deal with a even more extra water.
“With above average rainfall totals on already-saturated ground possible next week, we are moving lots of water through the system to create as much storage as possible in our reservoirs while also limiting flows to protect downstream areas,”said James Everett, senior manager for TVA’s River Forecast Center.
TVA has increased spilling or sluicing at its tributary dams at Cherokee, Douglas, Norris, Melton Hill and Apalachia to create more storage capacity. That means those lakes could be reaching near summer pool levels.
Boaters should stay clear of the dams because of fast, turbulent water.
TVA also plans to increase releases at all nine Tennessee River main stem dams, except maybe the Kentucky Dam, which is needed in order to provide flood control operations on the Ohio River.
The River Forecast Center staff will be monitoring and adjusting its river management strategies, including spilling, sluicing, hydro generation and reducing flows at locations across the system as needed, according to TVA.
TVA says it will remain in touch with the National Weather Service, farmers, marinas, local EMA’s and other groups across the Valley to provide advanced warning about rising river levels if needed..