Toccoa River Information

[Grizzz]

Carl Riggs from the Blur Ridge TU Chapter asked me to post this.

Trout Unlimited Hosts Panel on Toccoa Tailwater

​The Toccoa River Tailwater (below Blue Ridge Dam) is a premier trout fishery with enormous importance to the economic, social, and recreational well-being of Fannin County. *Trout fishing and the quality of water in the Toccoa is at risk of collapse as a result of a drawdown of Lake Blue Ridge so the TVA can make essential repairs to the dam and penstock. *Water temperatures and clarity are suffering, and the weather thus far is not cooperating. *The reason the river is in extremis is the timing of the protracted drawdown, which coincided with an unusually hot and dry summer and start to the fall season. * The full extent of damage to the fishery, if any, has yet to be determined. *However, it is not too soon to develop a plan for recovery of the river post-drawdown in order to minimize damage or improve the fishery.
*
​No one doubts that the dam repairs were needed, and that the TVA carefully considered many factors in timing the drawdown, including weather patterns, safety, environmental impact, and the like, with input from the public and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. * The question is, however, where do we go from here if trout die and the fishery collapses? *This question and more will be answered in a public forum hosted by Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited at the Fannin Chamber of Commerce, 9 am, October 9, 2010. *Representatives of the TVA, DNR, Trout Unlimited, and the Chamber of Commerce will comprise a panel to discuss the immediate future of the Toccoa Tailwater and to answer questions from the audience. The purpose of this discussion is not to probe how, why, or when the drawdown was done or to criticize anyone in the process. *This meeting focuses on what can be done from this point forward to protect and restore the fishery.
*
​Trout Unlimited is an organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and protection of coldwater (trout) fisheries like the Toccoa.

[Rocketroy]

Carl Riggs from the Blur Ridge TU Chapter asked me to post this.

Trout Unlimited Hosts Panel on Toccoa Tailwater

​The Toccoa River Tailwater (below Blue Ridge Dam) is a premier trout fishery with enormous importance to the economic, social, and recreational well-being of Fannin County. *Trout fishing and the quality of water in the Toccoa is at risk of collapse as a result of a drawdown of Lake Blue Ridge so the TVA can make essential repairs to the dam and penstock. *Water temperatures and clarity are suffering, and the weather thus far is not cooperating. *The reason the river is in extremis is the timing of the protracted drawdown, which coincided with an unusually hot and dry summer and start to the fall season. * The full extent of damage to the fishery, if any, has yet to be determined. *However, it is not too soon to develop a plan for recovery of the river post-drawdown in order to minimize damage or improve the fishery.
*
​No one doubts that the dam repairs were needed, and that the TVA carefully considered many factors in timing the drawdown, including weather patterns, safety, environmental impact, and the like, with input from the public and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. * The question is, however, where do we go from here if trout die and the fishery collapses? *This question and more will be answered in a public forum hosted by Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited at the Fannin Chamber of Commerce, 9 am, October 9, 2010. *Representatives of the TVA, DNR, Trout Unlimited, and the Chamber of Commerce will comprise a panel to discuss the immediate future of the Toccoa Tailwater and to answer questions from the audience. The purpose of this discussion is not to probe how, why, or when the drawdown was done or to criticize anyone in the process. *This meeting focuses on what can be done from this point forward to protect and restore the fishery.
*
​Trout Unlimited is an organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and protection of coldwater (trout) fisheries like the Toccoa.

The 13 year old Soque River Watershed Assn. highly recommends the formation of a Fannin county watershed Assn. to speak as a single voice on that area of No. Ga,s water concerns! As a S.R.W.A. board member up here in Habersham county since 1999,I can assure anyone willing to listen,that the formation effort can result in being heard by those who matter......not only for the Toccoa tailwater,but ALL stream issues,and other water quality concerns,known,or unknown, in that No. Ga. area! Science based data,and an informed body of knowledge can bring about water improvement,but it takes a consistant effort and a monitoring body of local citizens,such as a watershed Assn! PLEASE, someone start the effort! Regards, Rocketroy { S.R.W.A. and Foothills T.U.}

[Becky Hulsey]

Hey Rocket,

Bob Borgwat and I are Co-Chairing a Toccoa River Watershed Committee to work towards developing a watershed association for the Toccoa River. We are running a little slow, but hopefully, we are on the right track to get it done.

Becky Hulsey

[Rocketroy]

Hey Rocket,

Bob Borgwat and I are Co-Chairing a Toccoa River Watershed Committee to work towards developing a watershed association for the Toccoa River. We are running a little slow, but hopefully, we are on the right track to get it done.

Becky Hulsey

Good news indeed, Becky! Congratulations, and please keep me posted,as your efforts move forward! The recruiting of like minded partners,in the Fannin county watershed is proven way to build local support,as you proceed! I will eagerly follow your progress! Regards, Rocketroy P.S.Please include S.R.W.A. in your updates: www.srwa.org

[Jimmy Harris]

Blue Ridge Dam rehabilitation project update

On Friday, Sept. 24, construction personnel working on the Blue Ridge Dam rehabilitation project found a depression measuring 1 foot deep by 15 feet wide in the construction area at the bottom of the dam. Construction was temporarily suspended so that a detailed investigation could be performed. That same day, TVA’s dam safety engineers and a third-party engineering firm inspected the construction area and the entire dam and reviewed instrumentation readings. They concluded that the depression resulted from soil settlement in the affected area probably due to the construction activity and was not a threat to the safety of the dam.

Inspections and instrumentation evaluations conducted over the weekend by additional independent engineering consultants confirmed that this was a localized event and not a dam safety issue. Work at the site resumed on Monday, Sept. 27.

The investigation into what caused the soil to settle is continuing, however, soil removal associated with the drilling of holes for foundation supports was the likely cause. TVA and an engineering consultant will continue to monitor conditions at the dam to ensure its stability.

Repairs to the penstock at Blue Ridge Dam, the large underwater pipe which carries water from the reservoir to the turbines in the powerhouse, are scheduled to begin later this month when the elevation of the reservoir reaches 1630 feet above sea level. (The elevation was 1633.7 on Oct. 1.)

Visitors to the area are reminded that the road across the dam is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians and will remain closed for the duration of the project. The Fannin County offices on the Blue Ridge side of the dam are still open.

Read more about the project and sign up for e-mail updates (http://www.tva.com/river/blueridge.htm).