Drought keeping lake levels low concern
TVA urges boaters to watch for hazards as season begins
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This shows the water level of Norris Lake right behind the dam, with the exposed dirt shoreline clearly visible. The lake is seven to eight feet below its normal summer level as the Memorial Day weekend approaches, caused by a drought that TVA says is the worst in almost 20 years. When it’s at full pool, the bare dirt is not visible. - G. Chambers Williams III
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Although the water of Norris Lake won’t be at summer pool level for Memorial Day weekend, the boat launch at Anderson County Park is ready for use, and the lake is open for recreational boating. - G. Chambers Williams III
Drought conditions in East Tennessee are the worst in almost 20 years, which is keeping reservoir levels lower than normal, the Tennessee Valley Authority said Monday.
Because of the lack of rainfall and runoff, many TVA reservoirs, including Norris, are not likely to reach their summer pool elevations in time for Memorial Day, which is the start of recreation season,” TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said.
“For Norris in particular, levels are still within the operating range for this time of year, but about seven to eight feet below summer pool,” he said.
Safety is the key concern with the lower levels during the boating season, and the area needs some sustained rainfall to cure the problem, the federal utility said.
“Calendar-year-to-date rainfall and runoff are about 70% and 45% of normal, respectively,” Brooks said. “Runoff is key to filling the reservoirs. Right now, any rainfall is being soaked up by the ground and vegetation.”
The Tennessee River is mostly in good shape, but many tributary reservoirs likely will not reach summer pool by Memorial Day, the agency said.
But “all of the lakes are open for recreation regardless of water levels,” Brooks said.
“These conditions are comparable to the 2007 drought of record across the [Tennnessee] Valley,” he said.
“However, unlike 2007, TVA took the proactive step this year to begin filling the reservoirs early — as in February rather than March/April. So, many reservoirs were at or above their seasonal elevations early,” Brooks said.
“The operating strategy is to provide the minimum flows by using tributary storage and maintain reservoir elevations by holding local inflows,” he added. “Conservative releases are being scheduled at all tributary storage and main-stem reservoirs, and only releasing the minimum amount needed to meet minimum flow commitments and downstream demands.”
Water levels of the Tennessee River tributaries “remain below normal and will require above-normal rainfall to meet summer pool levels,” TVA said.
Main river status
Flows along the main river are near minimal levels to meet minimum flow commitments.
• Fort Loudoun, Watts Bar, [and] Chickamauga [lakes] are below normal operating range.
• Nickajack, Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick, and Kentucky are in normal operating range for this time of year.
• The upper main-stem river will require several inches of rainfall to reach normal summer operating levels.
Tributary status
Cherokee, Douglas, Fontana and Norris:
• Cherokee reservoir is seven to eight feet below normal elevation for this time of year. It would take at least 12 inches of rainfall to fill to summer pool.
• Douglas and Fontana are about 12-14 feet below normal at this time. It would take around eight inches of rainfall to fill Douglas reservoir and about 12 inches to fill Fontana to summer pool elevation.
• Norris reservoir is about eight feet below normal elevation for this time of year. It would take at least seven to eight inches of rainfall to fill.
Drought status
Drought conditions have been intensifying week over week during the past several weeks.
The latest version of the drought monitor from the National Weather Service shows the entire Tennessee River Watershed in some degree of drought; 85% of the watershed is experiencing at least severe drought.
• These drought conditions are expected to persist even with some recent rainfall and additional rainfall in the forecast.
Even with rainfall, runoff percentages are falling off due to continued dry conditions.
Water safety
“With varying water levels, we want people this year to be extra cautious of their surroundings on the water,” TVA said.
“Even your favorite cove might look a little different this year. Lower water levels can expose hazards like sandbars, rocks, and debris. Make sure to check out your surroundings.”
TVA said it encourages everyone to visit its website at tva.com or download the TVA Lake Info app on their smartphones (iPhone or Android) to get the latest levels on all 49 of its reservoirs.
These conditions are updated hourly, around the clock.
