TVA releasing more water from Norris Dam, increasing flow on Clinch River

 

The Tennessee Valley Authority on Wednesday said it is releasing more water out of Norris Dam, increasing high river flows on the Clinch River, which flows past Oak Ridge.

“Because of more heavy rain in the forecast, water releases out of Norris Dam will increase today to 135,000 gallons per second,” TVA said Wednesday.

TVA has been posting updates on social media about the recent rains and their impact on reservoirs, rivers, and dams.

For example, on Monday, the public utility said it was releasing water out of Norris Dam using its low-level outlets, called sluices, as well as generating power.

“Norris Lake level has the potential to reach approximately 1,017 feet by the end of the week,” TVA said Monday. “We continue to release water in a controlled manner to reduce downstream impacts.”

TVA, which provides electricity to nine million people in parts of seven southeastern states, posted video on Twitter of the increased sluice releases at Norris Dam on Wednesday, when the total water release was 134,000 gallons per second, including power generation.

“Expect higher-than-normal river flows on the Clinch River at Clinton and Oak Ridge,” TVA said. “Norris Lake level could approach summer pool at 1,020 foot.”

Also Wednesday, TVA posted updates on other dams as well. TVA was spilling 12,750 gallons per second through the spillway gates at Appalachia Dam on the North Carolina-Tennessee border and, downstream, increasing water releases to 131,000 cubic feet per second out of the Chickamauga Dam.

“Be aware of high river flows on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga,” TVA said. “Highest river flows since April 2017.”

On Tuesday, TVA said it was “spilling” at Watts Bar Dam, and current lake levels were near summer pool.

“We are working to recover flood storage in anticipation of more rain coming later this week,” TVA said. “For real-time lake info, download the TVA Lake Info app or visit: http://tva.me/A8UI30inC7w .”

Also Tuesday, TVA said it was moving water through the Chickamauga Dam near Chattanooga using generating units and spillway gates, with a total water release of 661,500 gallons per second. TVA was then spilling excess water at all nine Tennessee River dams.

“In addition to spilling, the dams are generating low-cost, renewable power at full turbine capacity,” TVA said. “We are managing flows across the river system anticipating rain coming across the region later this week.”

On Monday, TVA said the total water release out of Kentucky Dam, which is the last dam on the Tennessee River before the Ohio River, was 1.5 million gallons per second, using the generating turbines and spillways.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Video of increased sluice releases at Norris Dam. Total water release including power generation is 134,000 gallons per sec. Expect higher than normal river flows on the Clinch River at Clinton and Oak Ridge, TN. Norris Lake level could approach summer pool at 1020′. #NorrisDam pic.twitter.com/t0Yhwpg3Ct

— TN Valley Authority (@TVAnews) February 14, 2018

 

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