KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Authority said its river system saw between a half-inch to 3.5 inches of rain over the past week when severe storms moved across the state and brought deadly tornadoes coupled with plenty of rainfall.
As a result, the TVA said it needs to move a large amount of water across the main part of the Tennessee River. The utility is spilling water at all nine dams on the river as it tries to move water as quickly as possible.
Tributary systems — mostly freshwater streams that feed into a larger river — are holding water as designed and the TVA said it is using the recent rainwater to fill them toward summer levels.
As water continues to be spilled at dams and rivers continue flowing in the Tennessee River system, the TVA is urging people to use caution if they plan to be on the water anytime over the next few weeks. The TVA said people should avoid areas around dams while water is being spilled, and should also watch out for debris.
The TVA also said it posts hourly updates on reservoirs online, which people should read if they plan to head out onto the lakes.