TVA Inspects Ocoee No. 1 Dam After Record Flooding, Plans Spillway Board Replacement
The Tennessee Valley Authority's Dam Safety team is inspecting the Ocoee No. 1 Dam in Tennessee following record flooding from heavy rainfall in Georgia. The dam's spillway boards, designed to break away during high flows, will need replacement, and TVA…
Chattanooga, TN, November 6, 2026 — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Dam Safety team is conducting an inspection of the Ocoee No. 1 Dam, located in Tennessee. This inspection follows significant flooding events attributed to record rainfall in Georgia.
During the assessment, TVA officials determined that the dam’s spillway boards require replacement. These boards are a critical component of the dam’s design, engineered to break away during periods of exceptionally high water flow, thereby releasing excess water and mitigating flood risks.
To facilitate the upcoming repair work on the spillway boards, the TVA has announced plans to lower the water level of Parksville Lake. The specific timeline for the lowering of the lake and the subsequent replacement of the spillway boards was not provided. Similarly, the exact extent of the damage or the estimated cost of the repairs was not detailed in the information available.
The TVA Dam Safety program is responsible for ensuring the integrity and safe operation of the agency’s dams. The Ocoee No. 1 Dam plays a role in the region’s water management and power generation infrastructure.
The dam’s operational status and the impact of the lake-level reduction on local areas or recreation were not immediately specified. Further details regarding the repair schedule and the dam’s full operational capacity are expected from the TVA as the inspection and planning phases progress.
The record rainfall in Georgia that contributed to the conditions at the Ocoee No. 1 Dam highlights the impact of regional weather patterns on local infrastructure. The TVA’s proactive inspection and planned repairs aim to maintain the dam’s safety and functionality.
Story summarized from the original created by McKenzie Hughes on www.wdef.com, see more information here.
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