TVA planning for possible record levels at Watauga and Douglas reservoirs

The Tennessee Valley Authority is monitoring lake levels at the Watauga Reservoir near the Carter County, North Carolina border and the Douglas system in Hamblen and Sevier counties due to anticipated levels the agency said could reach record-breaking territory in the higher elevations.

A TVA report said those areas have already received 4 to 8 inches of rain and the forecast in the next 48 hours says an additional 12 inches could be delivered by the hurricane. Residents will see higher flow than normal below tributary dams.

Authorities said the TVA’s other reservoirs including Cherokee and Norris are also rising but will not have the impact that is predicted with the Watauga and Douglas areas.

Lake models can be monitored by visiting TVA.com or the LakeInfo app.

(IMAGE: From the lens of Google Maps)