Lake Blue Ridge Draw Down

On July 15th the Tennessee Valley Authority started its long-term, deep-water drawdown of Lake Blue Ridge. This drawdown will take approximately four months to get the lake to the lowest level needed for work to repair the penstock, a gate that controls water flow from the lake, and the dam itself. The water will be held at about 1,625 feet, about 60 feet lower than summer pool, for approximately six months beginning in late October. There will be no boat ramps available once the lake reaches its lowest level. However, during the drawdown, TVA and the owners of the Lake Blue Ridge Marina have negotiated a deal to allow free launching at the marina - which has the best low-water-access ramp on the lake - until the ramp becomes unusable. They are going to try and keep the marina open as long as they can, but there will come a point where they will have to shut it down. Just a note ~ launching a boat from the low-water ramp will probably require a 4x4 truck.

While drawing down the lake, fish populations will obviously be condensed into a smaller area, potentially making them easier to catch. DNR is encouraging everyone to keep their limit of spotted bass. They are an invasive species that compete with the native smallmouth and walleye. At the same time, anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release with smallmouth bass. Small boats (boats you can carry) may still be launched on the lake during the period when the low-water ramp is closed. The lake is NOT going to be shut down completely during any of this project.

The hours of wadable time for fishermen on the tailwater will not be significantly different during the drawdown than it has been in the past. The main reason the project must be completed is safetly and stability of the dam. Originally built in 1931, the dam and penstock are decades behind in the need for renovation. Once the penstock is repaired, the dam itself will be strengthened with more materials like rock, gravel and earth.

The entire project is estimated to be completed, and the lake should be back close to full summer pool by the end of August 2011.