Earlier this week, the TVA river system received between half an inch to as much as 3.5 inches of rainfall, much of that concentrated in the central portion of the system.
As a result, TVA is moving a large amount of water across the mainstem of the Tennessee River. We’re spilling water at all 9 dams on the Tennessee River to move as much water as we can as quickly as possible.
Tributary systems are holding water as designed and we are using the water to continue to fill those reservoirs toward summer pool levels.
The TVA River Forecast Center will be coordinating flood control operations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lakes and Rivers Division due to high flood levels on the lower Ohio and Mississippi River at Cario, IL. We will expect lake levels at Kentucky and Barkley to rise about 2-3 feet above normal summer pool.
Because of the additional flows, we urge anyone who plans to be on the reservoirs to use extreme caution over the next several weeks – obey all signage and warnings, especially near or below any dam that is spilling. Avoid areas around the dams while we’re spilling water. Watch for debris, even in areas you are familiar with.
Check the conditions of the reservoirs – we post hour by hour information, including releases and spill status, on TVA.com and the lake info app.