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Blue Ridge Reservoir

Ecological health rating

As in previous years, the ecological health of Blue Ridge rated good in 2009. Blue Ridge has consistently rated among the highest of all the reservoirs monitored by TVA.

TVA monitors one location on Blue Ridge Reservoir—the deep, still water near the dam—usually on a two-year cycle.

Blue Ridge Reservoir Ecological Health Ratings, 1994-2009

rating chart

Click chart for raw data.

 

The table below shows the ratings for individual ecological health indicators at Blue Ridge in 2009. These ratings are briefly explained in the paragraphs that follow.

Ecological Health Indicators at
Blue Ridge Reservoir — 2009

Monitoring location

Dissolved oxygen

Chlorophyll

Fish

Bottom life

Sediment
Forebay

Dissolved oxygen

Dissolved oxygen rated fair.  Dissolved oxygen has rated fair or good in all previous years except 2007 when it rated poor. The poor rating was due to low concentrations in the lower water column during September and October and was likely a result of the extended drought.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll rated good. Chlorophyll concentrations are typically low in Blue Ridge Reservoir, resulting in good ratings for this indicator.

Fish

The fish community rated good. The fish assemblage has rated either good or fair over the years with no specific trend through time.

Bottom life

Bottom life rated good. Ratings have varied between good, fair, and poor with no specific trend through time. Fair and poor ratings have resulted from fewer individuals being collected, with noticeable declines in the number of mayflies

Sediment

As in previous years, sediment quality rated good. No pesticides or PCBs were detected, and concentrations of metals were within expected background levels.

 

See definitions of ecological health indicators and monitoring locations.

 

Fish consumption advisories

Blue Ridge Reservoir - TVA maintains a program to examine contaminants in fish fillets from TVA reservoirs and their major tributary streams on a rotational basis.  The data collected from this program is distributed to the state officials who are responsible for placing or removing fish tissue consumption advisories on those bodies of water. For information on advisories currently in effect for Blue Ridge Reservoir, visit the Environmental Protection Division of Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ web page. http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/fish_guide.html

 

 

 

lake photo

Blue Ridge Reservoir is located in Fannin County in north central Georgia.

More about Blue Ridge

Sport fishing ratings

General information

 

To see monitoring results for other TVA reservoirs, choose from the list below.

           
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