Spilling at Norris Dam

TVA began spilling water from Norris Dam on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 after a weekend rain event that dropped 4 to 6 inches of water across the region. The reservoir behind the dam was expected to crest at 1027.3 feet above sea level or more than 7 feet above the normal summer elevation. I visited in early May 2017 when one generating unit was operating and the spillways and sluice gates were open. The combined flow was about 14,000 cubic feet per second. This caused the Clinch River below the dam to rise significantly, flooding a canoe launch and fishing platform.

Norris Dam is located near the Anderson County and Campbell County border on the Clinch River near Rocky Top, Tennessee. The dam was the first to be constructed by TVA. It was completed in 1936. There are two generating units in the powerhouse below the dam. US highway 441 crosses the dam connecting Norris, Tennessee with Rocky Top, Tennessee.

Trail bench under water downstream

Sidewalk underwater

High flows downstream

Approaching the Dam from the Songbird Trail

Views from the West Overlook

View from the East Overlook

Entry to all public areas at Norris Dam is free. Norris Dam State Park is immediately adjacent to the dam on both sides of the river.

The website for TVA is https://www.tva.gov/.