TVA Expands Reservoir Information Available to Public
July 21, 2004
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. -- To keep the public informed of changes in TVA’s operation of the Tennessee River and reservoir system following adoption of the Reservoir Operations Study, TVA has increased information available on its web site regarding reservoir releases for benefits such as navigation, flood control, recreation and water quality.
TVA Senior Vice President of River Operations Janet Herrin gave a report to the TVA Board today in Morristown on how changes in operations have been implemented since they became effective June 1. The Board approved the changes in May.
New information on releases from TVA dams is now included on the web site along with an expanded schedule of tailwater releases, which will allow more recreational opportunities such as rafting and fishing. The redesigned “Reservoir Information” section of the web site will provide access to information about individual reservoirs.
It also includes system-wide information that describes the role water flow requirements play in river system operations. For example, information about minimum water flows from Chickamauga Dam includes the average weekly minimum flow from May 1 through Labor Day.
“The new operating policy for the river system went into effect on June 1, and we want to ensure that people know how we are operating the river system and what that means to water levels and the flow of water on individual reservoirs,” said Herrin.
Under the new policy, tributary reservoir levels will remain higher until Labor Day for the first time this year, Herrin said.
Rainfall and runoff, or the amount of water that gets into the river system after it rains, is outlined with a graph on the web site showing what is normal and what was observed.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely selffinanced. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood control, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
