This is just a heads up that because of expected rainfall and a flood crest coming
on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers… water levels on the Kentucky Reservoir are
likely to rise significantly into early next week – definitely above summer levels –
and potentially as much as 8-10 feet above summer pool.
This is because we are in a flood control operation with the Army Corps, and they
are directing us to hold water back on Kentucky so that it doesn’t further impact
water levels on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
February rainfall across the Tennessee River system is 200 percent of normal, which
means we’ve had twice as much rainfall for the month as normal.
More heavy rains are expected this week in the lower and western portions of the
valley. The amount of rain in those areas will determine in part the amount of
flooding expected, especially on Kentucky Reservoir.
Water levels are rising on the Mississippi River at Cairo, Ill. (where the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers meet) and are expected to be about 14 feet above flood stage at
Cairo by this weekend and through early next week.
TVA expects to be directed to reduce flows from Kentucky Dam substantially to allow
the flood crest on the Mississippi River to pass Cairo early next week.
These higher-than-normal conditions could create flood conditions in low-lying areas
along the reservoir, including high water on access roads, and damage to crops.
TVA is notifying counties and local emergency management agencies of the potential
for flooding and high water.
Water levels on Kentucky Reservoir should be reduced as weather allows once the
flood crest on the Ohio River passes Cairo.
Conditions on the Tennessee River and its tributary reservoir system are volatile at
this time. Many of our dams are moving water downriver by generating, spilling
(releasing water through the top of the dam), and/or sluicing (releasing water below
the dam)
Changing conditions can also create safety hazards, not only near the dams but along
the entire river – debris like logs can capsize a boat or knock boaters off their
feet.
Warning systems at TVA dams are meant to do just that – warn boaters to stay away
from the dams, both above and below the structures. This is especially important
when water is higher than normal and moving quicker than you might expect.
River management operations at Kentucky Dam during floods on the lower Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers avoids about $20 million in damages annually on average. A
similar flood on the Ohio River occurred in January 2016 and TVA operations provided
a flood reduction benefit of nearly $140 million in damages avoided.
More information on safety is available here:
https://www.tva.gov/Newsroom/Caution-Wild-Waters
Latest info on Kentucky Lake: http://tva.me/9PWC30iCZsm
Flood stages-
Perryville, TN: http://tva.me/pX1a30iCZkN
Savannah, TN: http://tva.me/cSyX30iCZmr
Paducah, KY: http://tva.me/6HiZ30iCZnt
Cairo, Il: http://tva.me/zLIZ30iCZot