Hurricane Helene moved through the TVA service area bringing extreme wind and rainfall, despite being downgraded to a tropical storm. Helene’s devastating path of destruction left debris behind, that is now finding its way into the Tennessee River system.
A large field of floating debris has accumulated in Douglas Reservoir in Sevier and Jefferson County Tennessee, which is the inflow point from the Nolichucky, Pigeon and French Broad Rivers and other watersheds. The debris field on Douglas is approximately 1 square mile in size and moving 1 mile per day downstream toward Douglas Dam.
To help contain the debris, TVA deployed a 1-mile-wide boom across Douglas Reservoir above the town of Dandridge, Tennessee beginning on Thursday, October 3. A boom is a floating barrier that captures surface and submerged debris in bodies of water. This is one of the largest boom deployments of its kind in TVA’s history.
The boom extends across the entire lake surface at Swanns Shoals upriver from downtown Dandridge and will be in place until further notice.
The boom is intended to help protect water supply intakes and other infrastructure downstream, as well as ensure our ability to continue flood control and normal operations at Douglas Dam.
Debris can include vegetation (trees, branches, shrubs), household items (garbage, glass, appliances, propane tanks), and construction materials (roofing, lumber), among others. Debris can be hazardous, with the potential to cause injury or death.
For the safety of the crews installing the boom as well as the safety of boaters, we are advising the public to stay off the lake in this area until further notice.
TVA Police along with officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be on the water patrolling to help ensure safety and signage will be set up around the area of the boom.