By Katie Northcott, News Director
On Tuesday, June 2, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reported that in the eastern Tennessee Valley, runoff, the portion of rainfall that makes its way into streams, rivers, and lakes, is currently the fourth lowest in 152 years of recorded history.
The report comes as much of the Tennessee Valley remains in a severe drought, despite some recent rainfall. According to TVA, the Valley has received an average of about three and a half inches of rain since Memorial Day weekend. Only about a half inch entered the river system as run off.
TVA General Manager of River Management James Everett said that TVA is continuing to manage for benefits such as water supply and water quality.
“Now that we’re in June, the lakes aren’t quite as full as we’d like them to be, but we still have to release water to meet other needs,” Everett said.
Everett said TVA was monitoring water supply and water quality for the five million people in the Tennessee Valley that depend on this system for drinking water as well as monitoring the status of fish habitats below the dams.
“Lake levels may be drifting down this summer as we’re releasing water from dams to serve those purposes for water quality and water supply,” Everett said.
He encouraged boaters to watch for shallow water and exposed hazards.
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