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Up-to-Date Information on the
Tennessee River System

TVA operates the dams, locks, and reservoirs of the Tennessee River and its tributaries as one integrated system in order to provide multiple benefits for the region. These benefits include year-round navigation, flood damage reduction, affordable electricity, improved water quality and water supply, recreation, and economic growth.

TVA’s policy for operating the Tennessee River system affects how much reservoir levels rise and fall, when those changes occur, and the amount of water flowing through the system at different times of the year, depending on rainfall.

Please note! Water release schedules often change without notice due to unanticipated changes in weather conditions and power system requirements.

Use caution near dams. A large amount of water may be discharged without warning at any time. Your safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings. Learn more.

Reservoir information

Use the drop-down menus in the green box at right to get detailed information about individual reservoirs, including observed and predicted elevations and releases at TVA dams, reservoir operating guides, dissolved oxygen improvements, fish population survey results, recreation facilities, and more. The link to ‘Tennessee River elevations at selected locations’ gives information on recent and predicted water elevations at major cities and other selected locations along the Tennessee River.

Rainfall and stream flows

This site also offers information on precipitation across the valley and on flows in valley streams that contribute a significant amount of water to the river system. See links at top left of page.

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System flow requirements and the volume of water in tributary reservoirs affect the operation of those reservoirs. Get current information here.

For information about a reservoir, choose the reservoir name first, then choose the type of information you want, and click “View info.”

Tennessee River elevations at selected locations

 

You can also use our interactive map to read details about each facility and its role in the integrated system.

 

Reader’s Survey

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Glossary

See definitions of some of the most commonly used terms related to river operations.