TVA: Rising Tennessee River expected to impact farmers in Hardin County

TVA said Wednesday afternoon that widespread rain is beginning to affect river operations.

Citing 2-3 inches of rain forecast across central and east Tennessee, north Alabama and Georgia, 1-1.5 inches in the west and 1-2 inches in northeast Tennessee, TVA said Pickwick Dam in Hardin County will likely begin spilling Thursday, and Ford Loudon on Monday as flood storage recovery begins.

“We expect Savannah to start impacting farmers this weekend, but we are not forecasting reaching flood stage at this time – that could change depending on rainfall,” said TVA spokesman Scott Fiedler.

Minor flood stage at Savannah is reached at 370 feet. TVA reports it is currently spilling at its dams at Chickamauga, Guntersville, Wilson and Kentucky.

“We have already let the farmers know. For the time being, we think the forecast elevation of 368 feet at Savannah is still a good forecast and we will continue to revise as we move forward,” Fiedler said.

He said TVA will begin holding runoff back in the tributaries to minimize downstream impacts.