Do You Worry About The Dams Failing? (Knoxville, Chattanooga: how much, inspectors)

[3tailswaggin]

Since I'm curious and really do think about this one... do the natives worry about the dams breaking and flooding the towns below them? These dams are OLD. It makes me wonder how well maintained they are, is the concrete okay, etc.

If the dams broke, how much would be destroyed... what is the flood zone or path if the dams broke? I imagine if Norris Dam let go it would be pretty devastating for Knoxville area.

I'm a worrier, I tend to think a lot about stuff like this.

forgot to add... do they have any kind of sirens, drills, for if a dam is going to fail, to warn folks?

See, I DO worry a lot, LOL!

[Servpro Will]

3tails,

As an avid fisherman who spends as many Saturdays and late nights as possible fishing directly below the Loudon, Melton Hill, and Watts Bar dams, I can say it's a thought that crosses my mind when I'm 10-25 feet away from that much sheer force. But I will say it's nothing I personally worry about. TVA spends a lot of time and energy inspecting and maintaining the structural intergrity of their 49+ dams. TVA has received pretty high scores from third party FEMA inspectors regarding the leakage, integrity, and reliability. There are definite emergency plans in place for the dams per regulated guidelines, including failure, earthquake, overflow, etc. See below for a few links related to dam safety. I would say live your life and choose to worry about other things! They've been running strong for 70+ years and I expect them to go for another 70. They are replacing the Chickamagua lock, due to concrete growth, and have also noted some concrete growth in the Hiawasee and Fontana dams, but state there is no major concern. They do run safety drills, overflow/flood emergency plans peridocially every year per site. There is also a siren per dam that is quite loud, but I think the audible range is only a mile or so...
TVA: River Neighbors - February 2008
http://oig.tva.gov/PDF/08rpts/2007-11023.pdf
http://www.tva.gov/environment/repor...dam_safety.pdf
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/damfailure/fema64.shtm (broken link)

[3tailswaggin]

Thanks for the reply. I don't really worry about it, but really did wonder. I too think they probably are okay, because stuff built back then was BUILT to last, not like the crap they throw up these days.

[Kitties of Domination]

If any of the dams break, you could kiss Chattanooga good bye for sure...

[Pam& Bill]

3 tails waggin,
By any chance are 2 different people using your screen name? Are you trying to talk yourself out of moving here? You say you are a worrier then you say you don't really worry about things, I'm so confused on what the point is?
I think one question you need to answer for yourself, is, can you embrace Knoxville area as different from what you are used to in SC?
Pam

[JulianaMoon53]

Watching the recent situation with the dam in California, I am wondering if we could update the information here. I live in the TN Valley between Knoxville and Chattanooga and I do worry about this a lot.

Thanks!!!

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by JulianaMoon53

Watching the recent situation with the dam in California, I am wondering if we could update the information here. I live in the TN Valley between Knoxville and Chattanooga and I do worry about this a lot.

Thanks!!!

Boone Dam in the Tri-Cities is having issues, but they are being addressed properly.

[JulianaMoon53]

Thankyou for the information Serious Conversation.