BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB) — The TVA is warning of drought conditions that could impact the summer boating season.
According to the TVA, the region is experiencing a drought similar to the conditions the region saw back in 2007.
TVA river forecasters say, to date, the region has seen only about 69% of normal rainfall totals and only 45% of normal runoff totals which has led to significantly less water in local lakes.
Experts say, while lake access will be open across our region, it’s important to be mindful of these conditions.
“Recreation is going to look a little bit different this year. Many of these lakes are not up to the full elevations, flows are going to look a little bit different. [These lakes] are open and usable, we just want people to be safe and understand that the cove they’re used to going into, on a normal year that has ample amount of water in it, there could be a hazard exposed or that’s barely under the water’s surface,” Ben Heath, operations support manager for TVA’s river forecast center said.
TVA experts say even with the recent rain that we’ve had, these potentially dangerous conditions may linger for some time.
Lake Levels as of May 8, 2026
You can find the latest lake conditions here.
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