KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – East Tennessee is experiencing one of the driest springs on record, and experts are warning boaters and paddlers to expect different conditions on the water this summer.
The region has received only 67% of its expected rainfall this year, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Even less water is making it into the river system, with runoff at just 48% of normal levels.
April alone has seen just one inch of rain when the region normally gets four to five inches.
“Spring is the time of year when we expect to get some heavy rainfall, some runoff from that rainfall and fill reservoirs, and we’re just not seeing that rainfall and runoff this spring,” said James Everett, general manager for river management at TVA.
The dry stretch extends back to January, making this the fourth driest season from January through March on record since 1895.
TVA manages 49 dams across 41,000 square miles, and every part of that territory is experiencing some level of drought.
“The dryer it gets, the longer that dry weather sticks around, the harder it is to make up that rainfall deficit,” Everett said.
To reach normal summer pool levels by Memorial Day, some areas could need up to eight to 12 inches of rain.
Tributary reservoirs like Douglas, Cherokee and Norris are being affected more than main stem Tennessee River reservoirs such as Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar.
“Our large tributaries like Douglas and Cherokee, Norris, these are lakes that are enormous in terms of their storage and we need lots and lots of rainfall to fill these lakes up and we’re just not getting that rainfall,” Everett said.
Main stem reservoirs are managed for navigation and commercial traffic, so they don’t fluctuate as much.
Lower water levels are exposing hazards that boaters may not be used to seeing, including rocks, mud flats and points.
“If you’re used to going out to the lake and you’re going to an area that you go, you know, every single season, the water levels may be a little different and so be mindful of hazards out there,” Everett said.
Matt Cameron, public information officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, said speed is a major concern.
“Slow down. That’s one of the biggest things that gets boaters in trouble is speed,” Cameron said. “Expect new hazards like points, rocks, mud flats, things you’re not used to seeing out there if water levels don’t make it to where they would normally be throughout the entire summer.”
Lower water levels also mean more congestion on the water, as boats are concentrated in a smaller area.
“That increases the likelihood of collisions,” Cameron said. “The more boats you put in a smaller congested area, the higher the percentage of collision you’re going to have.”
Cameron recalled the 2007 drought when Douglas Lake was down 15 to 20 feet from normal summer levels, concentrating boats in a smaller area and leading to several accidents.
Experts recommend boaters take several precautions:
- Wear a life jacket
- Slow down and pay attention to surroundings
- Use a depth finder to monitor water depth
- Download the TVA Lake Info app to check current water levels before launching
- Use maps and navigation apps to identify safe channels
- Be extra vigilant for other boats in congested areas
Jon Terry, owner and operator of Knoxville Adventure Collective, said the lack of current makes point-to-point paddles more challenging.
“There’s no flow really helping you, and so like anytime you get that combined with headwinds, it makes it more difficult,” Terry said.
The low water is also exposing debris along riverbanks. However, Terry said there is a silver lining to the calmer conditions.
“It makes it a lot better to go out and back to certain locations because there’s not much flow,” Terry said. “It’s real pleasant. It’s almost like being on just a lake, a flat lake.”
Terry, who is entering his seventh season operating out of the Outdoor Knoxville building, said the low water also presents an opportunity to help clean up the river.
“It’s a great time to pick up trash and to kind of help beautify Knoxville if you are out on the water,” he said.
Despite the drought conditions, TVA says reservoir storage is currently sufficient to meet water supply needs.
“In terms of the volume of water we have in the system, we’re in good shape,” Everett said. “We will be using that water to meet things for water supply and drinking water and habitat below these dams.”
TVA is being conservative with releases from dams, sending only enough water through to meet minimum flow requirements and downstream demands while holding as much as possible in tributary reservoirs.
TWRA officials said it’s still too early to tell what long-term effects the drought will have on fish populations.
Right now, conditions are relatively stable, which is making fishing good for walleye, bass, crappie and redear sunfish.
The bigger concerns will come later in summer when hot weather and prolonged drought can start affecting water quality and dissolved oxygen levels, potentially leading to fish die-offs.
While some rain is expected this weekend, experts warn it will take much more than that to make a dent in the drought.
“We need that much rainfall plus some because soil conditions are dry, the ground is dry, vegetation’s out,” Everett said. “Not only do we need to catch up rainfall that we’re not getting, we need even more rainfall than what we would normally get to resaturate the ground.”
TVA says most people won’t notice a difference in reservoir levels right now, as they remain within normal range, though on the low end for this time of year. But that could change by next week unless significant rain arrives.
The lakes remain open for recreation, and officials encourage people to get out on the water while taking proper safety precautions.
