Sedimentation and Water Quality in TVA's Ocoee Reservoirs

by Jack M. Garrison, TVA, United States,
John W. Shipp, Jr., TVA, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Soil Properties Evaluation from Centrifugal Models and Field Performance

Abstract:

This paper reviews and summarizes sedimentation and water quality characteristics of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) three Ocoee Reservoirs located in Polk County in southeastern Tennessee just above the Georgia state line. The watershed contains the well-known 'copper basin,' a man-made biological desert nestled in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Drainage from the copper basin resulted in severe sedimentation and water quality problems in the three Ocoee Reservoirs. These problems are described and analyzed in the light of today's environmental concerns. Improvements in water quality and sedimentation rates in recent years are also discussed.

Subject Headings: Water quality | Sediment | Reservoirs | Hydro power | Water pollution | Watersheds | Power plants | United States | Tennessee | Georgia | North Carolina

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