Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications

Press Release

TVA has performed surveys to assess the depth of the Chatuge Reservoir.

These surveys show how a drawdown to a 1908 elevation may affect water levels throughout the reservoir potentially impacting marinas, boat ramps and private docks.

The return to summer pool elevation following a drawdown depends on rainfall.

Alternatives being studied are:

• Alternative A: No Action – TVA would not perform any modification of the Chatuge Dam spillway, valves or embankment and would continue to maintain these components in their current condition. TVA would continue to monitor and inspect the spillway, repairing joints and sealing cracks in the spillway slab and walls as they are identified; however, the risk of spillway damage and failure would continue to exceed TVA’s risk tolerance.

• Alternative C: Remediation in Place with Concrete Liner – The existing spillway would be covered with a new concrete liner. The reservoir drawn down would be planned for off-season portions of up to two consecutive years.

• Alternative D: New, Larger Spillway – A new spillway would be built. When complete, the existing spillway would be abandoned. This option requires excavation of rock and material that may be used for improvements to the dam embankment. Total construction time would be up to five years. The reservoir drawdown would be planned for offseason portions of up to two nonconsecutive years.

• Alternative E: New Spillway and Repairs to Existing Spillway – A new spillway would be built, with similar capacity to the existing spillway. Once complete, the existing spillway would be repaired for use as a second spillway during rare, extreme weather events. Excavated material may be used for improvements to the dam embankment. Construction time is estimated at five years and the reservoir drawdown would be planned for offseason portions of up to two nonconsecutive years.

TVA eliminated Alternative B, reconstruction of contraction joints in the concrete spillway, from consideration. This alternative would have required up to eight years to complete, with the reservoir drawn down for the duration of the project.

Drawdowns would reduce the water level in the reservoir to an elevation of 1908, about 10 feet below the current winter pool level. Drawdowns would be planned for the offseason months from late summer to early spring. While normal dam operations would be restored for the spring following each drawdown, the return to summer water levels relies on rainfall. Seasonal “normal” summer pool may fluctuate, and levels cannot be guaranteed.

All options except option A include additional improvements to the powerhouse, valves and piping. Spillway work could also provide an opportunity to improve the site with rock buttresses along the face of the dam and around the reservoir rim, improved drainage at the base of the dam and downstream channel improvements. These optional projects would improve operations at Chatuge, though they are not required to address the safety of the dam.

TVA received more than 1,700 comments from the public following the release of the Notice of Intent in April 2025. A Scoping Report released Sept. 5, 2025, summarizes public and agency comments and TVA's planned project scope.

TVA expects to release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in late 2025 or early 2026. Once published, the public will have 45 days to provide comments. Additional public open house meetings will be scheduled once the draft EIS is published.

Construction of a selected alternative could begin as early as late 2027.