Status of the Ocoee Reservoirs: An overview of reservoir conditions and uses
The Ocoee projects are three hydroelectric facilities in Polk County, Tennessee. TVA purchased Ocoee Reservoirs Nos. 1 an 2 in 1939 and impounded Ocoee No. 3 Reservoir in 1942 for the sole purpose of hydropower generation. Although their sole purpose is power generation, the Ocoee Reservoirs provide numerous opportunities for recreation. The Ocoee Reservoirs have been seriously impacted by erosion and siltation as a result of mining and mineral processing in the Copper Basin. Cooperative efforts to revegetate the Copper Basin are expected to improve the water quality and aquatic ecology of the Ocoee Reservoirs. The Ocoee reservoirs are among the smallest in the TVA system. Sediments from erosion in the Copper Basin have filled about 80 percent of the original volume of Ocoee No. 3 Reservoir and about 24 percent of the original volume of Ocoee No. 1 Reservoir. The water quality of the Ocoee Reservoirs is dominated by the effects of erosion and industrial discharges in the Copper Basin. The aquatic ecology of the Ocoee Reservoirs is also dominated by the effects of the Copper Basin. High concentrations of suspended sediments and metals severely limit the development of the food web in the reservoirs. Ocoee Nos. 2 and 3 Reservoirs have been called biological deserts.'' The fishery in Ocoee No. 1 Reservoir, which as historically been extremely limited, is showing some signs of improvement. 3 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN (United States). Water Quality Dept.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- TVA; Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, TN (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5641599
- Report Number(s):
- TVA/WR/WQ-91/4; ON: DE91015961
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540310 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EROSION
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
METALS
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY
WATER RESERVOIRS