TVA To Rehabilitate Bear Creek Dam

October 9, 2007

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. – TVA today announced it will construct a new concrete structure at the existing Bear Creek Dam that will help maintain water levels in the reservoir to provide for recreation, flood damage reduction and water supply and to support economic development in the area.

“After hearing from people and officials throughout the area and evaluating various solutions to the seepage problem at the dam, it was clear to us that Bear Creek Dam is an essential and valuable asset and provides many benefits to the Franklin County area,” TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore said at a ceremony held at the dam. “Our environmental review determined that rehabilitating the dam will ensure that Bear Creek Dam continues to serve the area safely and reliably for many decades to come.”

TVA tried unsuccessfully for several years to repair excessive water seepage from the foundation of the existing earthen dam. The environmental review determined that adding a new concrete structure just downstream from the dam would solve the problem and permit TVA to maintain normal water levels in the reservoir during the summer.

TVA has operated the reservoir at levels of 565-568 feet, eight feet below the targeted summer level, since 2005 to ensure continued safe operation of the dam.

Kilgore introduced U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt at the ceremony, recognizing his leadership in helping reach a solution that will ensure the Bear Creek Dam remains an economic and environmental asset for northwest Alabama.

Site preparation work is already under way to clear the area where the new concrete structure will be built. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2009. Until the project is complete, water levels behind the dam will remain at 565-568 feet. Updates on the construction are available at www.tva.com/river/bearcreek.htm.

Bear Creek Dam was built in 1969 to provide flood control and water supply, creating a reservoir 12 miles long with 29 miles of shoreline.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom