With the possibility of up to 10 inches of rain over the weekend in portions of the Tennessee Valley, TVA is drawing down its reservoirs lower than usual to add more storage capacity for potentially heavy rains.
The National Weather Service predicts rain in much of the Tennessee Valley today and Friday and precipitation could worsen significantly if Hurricane Joaquin hits the Atlantic coast and brings heavy rains east to TVA’s 7-state region.
TVA has already brought most of its upstream reservoirs down near wintertime water levels, but TVA spokesman Jim Hopson said the utility is drawing down its reservoirs even lower today in anticipation of potentially heavy rains. TVA is not yet spilling any water at any of its 49 dams along the Tennessee River and its tributaries.
“But we are being prudent in keeping our lake levels a bit lower than normal to give us extra storage capacity,” Hopson said.
Current forecast models show some areas along the eastern side of TVA’s territory could receive several inches of rain by Sunday. That rainfall will find its way into streams and rivers that feed into TVA reservoirs, which could rapidly rise above their current levels.
Hopson said property and boat owners should be aware of the potential for rapidly changing lake levels over the next several days and take any necessary precautions.