The Tennessee Valley Authority will be releasing water from all nine dams on the Tennessee River to relieve the pressure that’s been built up by the heavy rain that fell this week.
According to a news release, 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. To counteract that, TVA is moving a large amount of water across the mainstem of the Tennessee River. Water will be released from the dams to move as much water as quickly as they can.
Because of the additional flow, the TVA is expecting lake levels at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley to rise about 2-3 feet above normal summer pool.
Officials say they are urging anyone who plans to be on the reservoirs to use extreme caution over the next several weeks. Be sure to bey all signage and warnings, especially near or below any dam that is spilling. Avoid areas around the dams while we’re spilling water and watch for debris, even in areas you are familiar with.