Record rainfall that pummeled the Tennessee Valley last year has yet to let up as consistent rain and flooding is expected across the valley this weekend and into next week.
Last year was the wettest year in the recorded history of the Tennessee Valley, dating back 129 years. January rainfall was at 120 percent of normal levels with runoff at 170 percent, according to statistics provided by Tennessee Valley Authority.
That trend has continued into February. Rain is likely in the Chattanooga area each of the next seven days, according to National Weather Service forecasts.
TVA is preparing the Tennessee River for rising water levels. The agency will reach out to the National Weather Service, farmers, marinas, local emergency responders and other groups across to provide advanced warning.
"After record rainfall in 2018, we are seeing much of the same so far in early 2019," said James Everett, senior manager for TVA's River Forecast Center, via a release. "With above average rainfall totals on already-saturated ground possible next week, we are moving lots of water through the system to create as much storage as possible in our reservoirs while also limiting flows to protect downstream areas."
Increased releases at all nine Tennessee River main stem dams are expected with the possible exception of Kentucky Dam in order to provide flood control operations on the Ohio River, according to a release from TVA.
Impact across the valley includes:
-Possible closures of locks at Watts Bar and Chickamauga dams and commercial navigation through the Nickajack Gorge.
- The Tennessee River at Savannah, Tenn., is expected to reach flood stage and continue rising several feet through late next week.
- Continued TVA coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage flows at Kentucky Dam and Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River to avert flood damage on the Mississippi River and Ohio River, which already is 10 feet above flood stage.
Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.