By Glenn Harbison, glenn@thenewsobserver.com
Hiawassee, Ga. – Chris Saucier said revised plans for major modifications at Chatuge Dam are “a pretty big, positive step forward” to relieve the fears of those who have voiced concerns.
Saucier was referring to public comments received since modifications were announced focusing on a deep, extended draw down of Lake Chatuge.
The revised plans, though still not finalized, Saucier presented on June 25 still show a substantial draw down, but for much shorter time periods. The lake level itself will rely on Mother Nature providing enough rain at the right time for a return to full pool.
Saucier is TVA’s senior project manager for Dam Safety. He made his comments at the Towns County Courthouse as he discussed recent changes to TVA’s modification study.
When Saucier first talked about Chatuge Dam plans at a March 28 meeting, he called them the “upper bounds of the duration of construction,” a worst-case scenario for the lake draw down. For the four alternatives presented then, construction periods would last six, seven and eight years with Lake Chatuge being drawn down 10 feet below winter pool for a minimum of four years and maximum of eight.
The most recent presentation showed one alternative removed from the study, construction dropping to five years for three others, and the deep draw down scheduled twice for four months each time.
A chart presented by Saucier showed a rapid draw down of the lake from 1,925 feet, one foot below full pool of 1,926, to 1,908 feet starting Aug. 1 and being completed in early October. On Feb. 1, TVA would return to normal lake level operations with a target of full pool by July 1.
The normal winter pool for the lake is 1,918 feet, which usually occurs between mid-December and mid-March.
The lowering and raising of the lake level would weigh heavily on rainfall amounts.
The two deep draw downs will be necessary. Depending on which modification alternative is selected would determine if they are in consecutive years.
Saucier said as TVA officials have worked through the modification studies there is “greater confidence” the new construction duration and draw down times can be met.
The critical activity draw down, lowering the lake to 1,908 feet, is necessary for pipe work. During this time, construction will be scheduled 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in an effort to meet the draw down schedule.
“We are trying our best to work in the public interest,” Saucier said. “We’ve got to keep working through the study.”
That study includes a “really harsh analysis … how many people will that kill,” as TVA looks at potential spillway or dam failures and how to prevent them, Saucier said.
“The spillway is clearly the risk driver” as TVA looks at modifications to Chatuge Dam, he added.
Saucier expects construction to begin in late 2027 or early 2028.