Pretty good story, although it doesn't mention the toxic crap that was in the sludge, nor any concern about downstream impacts.

I guess that will show up when the lab report comes back.

BTW, the level of disengenuousness (is that a word?) coming from TVA on this one is pretty high. "It's just mud, like the mud on the bottom of any reservior." Well, yeah, it's mud. But no, it's NOT like mud on the bottom of any reservior. This particular mud is full of years of toxic Copper Basin runoff.

"Lowering lake levels is normal for repair operations." Well, yes, one would think so. But how is that normally done - particularly at this dam - by spilling or opening the bottom sluice gate? If it's opening the sluice gate, then why are folks at the Outdoor Center say they haven't seen this kind of thing since the center opened in the mid 90s?

Don't know the answer; AM curious.

Here is TDEC's notice of violation to TVA. It includes a couple of pictures.

Ok, I confess to bafflement.

In a story in this morning's print edition of the KNS, River Operations Manager Chuck Bach says the sluice gate is open "several times a year for operations and maintenance."

In a story on this afternoon's KNS website, spokesperson Barbara Martocci (she of "it's just mud from the river bottom, like the mud from any other river bottom) says the gates are open "30 to 40 times a year to move water for recreation."

Perhaps those two statements aren't inconsistent, but they seem a bit off to me.

Bach also says he doesn't know why there was such a big sediment release. I can understand why he's baffled. If the gates are open 30 to 40 times a year, how the heck did 3.5 feet of sediment pile up behind them?

As someone has mentioned before, TVA has contracted out everything that does not relate to the corporate offices.

There's gates and then there's gates.

The gates that are opened for recreational water releases are at the lake surfaces.

The gate that was opened for this mess is at the bottom of the dam. Where does the goop live?