TVA Staff Recommends Preferred Alternative for Reservoir Operations
Feb. 26, 2004
The Final Environmental Impact Statement for TVA’s Reservoir Operations Study, which includes TVA staff’s preferred alternative for the future operation of the Tennessee River and reservoir system, will be available to the public Friday, Feb. 27.
The Reservoir Operations Study was conducted by TVA to review the policy for operating the Tennessee River and reservoir system.
The preferred alternative is designed to achieve objectives identified by the public and other stakeholders. TVA developed the preferred alternative by combining elements of alternatives presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which support navigation, reservoir recreation, recreation in tail waters below dams and scenic beauty. Adjustments also were made to avoid or reduce unacceptable impacts to other objectives, including flood control, water quality and supply, hydroelectric generation and other power supply, wetlands, shoreline erosion control and aquatic habitat.
Highlights of the preferred alternative are:
- Limiting the drawdown of tributary reservoirs from June 1 through Labor Day.
- Balancing tributary reservoir levels by releasing a fair share of water needed for downstream flow requirements from each reservoir.
- Maintaining levels within summer operating ranges through Labor Day on four Tennessee River reservoirs — Chickamauga, Guntersville, Wheeler and Pickwick.
- Establishing higher winter operating ranges on 10 tributary reservoirs — Boone, Chatuge, Cherokee, Douglas, Fontana, Hiwassee, Norris, Nottely, South Holston and Watauga.
- Expanding and having more dependable scheduled releases for tailwater recreation at five additional tributary reservoirs — Apalachia, Ocoee #1, Norris, Watauga/Wilbur and South Holston.
- Providing minimum flows of 25,000 cubic feet per second at Kentucky Dam to better maintain a minimum tailwater elevation of 301 feet and a 12-foot navigation channel.
To view the Final Environmental Impact Statement and for additional facts on specific reservoir changes, go to the ROS Web site. The FEIS is also available at the local libraries listed on the Web site.
TVA will not hold additional public meetings; however, public comments will be accepted on the preferred alternative through April 12. To make comments, go to the ROS Web site or mail comments to: David Nye, Project Manager ROS, TVA, 400 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37902.
In developing the preferred alternative, TVA held 33 public meetings, received thousands of public comments, reviewed input from state and federal agencies and did a comprehensive analysis of reservoir operations.
After reviewing the staff recommendation and additional public comments, the TVA Board is expected to consider policy changes and implementation of those changes May 19 at a meeting in Oxford, Miss.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 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) or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)
