East Tennessee lake levels remain low amid drought conditions despite recent rainfall

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-04

[00:00:00]East Tennessee is coming off more than a week of days with soaking rains, but lake levels across the region remained feet below normal. What we should see this time of year.

[00:00:11]>> That's right. Forecasters say a full rebound would take an unusual rain event. 10 News reporter Lauren Love spoke with TVA today. And Lauren, what did they have to say?

[00:00:20]>> John Robin. TVA says runoff from the ground is what makes it to the streams and then into the lakes. Without it, water levels don't rise as much, and given the drought conditions and warmer weather, even less runoff is expected.

[00:00:34]>> Warm weather and sunshine means days out on the lake, but water levels are low across the region.

[00:00:40]>> Douglas is about 8 ft below where we desire for it to be this time of year.

[00:00:45]Now, that's always driven by the weather and runoff.

[00:00:49]>> Ben Heath is a manager at the TVA River Forecast Center. He says the runoff necessary to fill up lakes isn't something he expects to see.

[00:00:57]>> We typically don't receive much runoff in this time of the year and that's kind of just putting that unrealistic expectation that yes, we got some rain, but this rain is not what's going to fill Cherokee and Douglas and Norris up.

[00:01:10]>> Heath says those low levels can affect power generation and water supply, but it can also cause issues for people out enjoying the water. There could be things around the edge of the the reservoirs, rocks or old stumps or those things that are normally have ample amount of water over top of them. But then when you're not up to that normal elevation that people are accustomed to seeing it, those can be slightly underwater which makes them a hazard or even sticking out of the water.

[00:01:34]>> He says all lakes are open and usable.

[00:01:36]And while TVA can't boost water levels, they're doing what they can.

[00:01:40]>> We are releasing water through the system. We are managing every drop of water to the best of our ability.

[00:01:46]looking at elevations, looking at balancing between the reservoirs and again meeting those critical needs like water quality and water supply.

[00:01:53]>> Heath says some lakes might look a little different and it's important people take notice and stay safe.

[00:02:01]>> Continuing that safety message, we also heard from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. There have been nine boating related deaths so far this year compared to five this time last year.

[00:02:12]None were reported over the Memorial Day weekend. John Robin. All right, Lord.

[00:02:16]Thank you.