TVA And Other Agencies Update Douglas Lake Status

Residents who live along the shores of Douglas Lake got an update on the lake’s status Monday evening. The TVA hosted an open house with several other agencies in Dandridge Monday. The flooding from Hurricane Helene led to a lot of debris winding up in the lake. The TVA deployed a boom in early October across the lake to help catch debris. However, with the lake’s level being taken down for the winter, a lot of debris is now on the shore.

Plus, the flooding added many hazards to the water affecting water quality and fishing. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says there is still no timetable to test the water in Douglas Lake, but they are working on a plan to do so. TDEC did say thay are awaiting new test results for the Pigeon River which feeds into Douglas Lake. TDEC says a water contact advisory is still in place.

As far as debris, the TVA says work has begun to remove the debris that was caught by the boom that was deployed across the lake. They estimate that it will be next summer before all the debris is removed from the lake.

TDEC says that those who live along Douglas Lake can burn vegetation debris, such as tree limbs and leaves, but they remind property owners that they do need a burn permit to do so.