The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced the lifting of a water contact advisory that had been put in place following the extreme flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The advisory, initially issued on October 2, advised the public to avoid contact with surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga rivers watersheds, as well as any other waters impacted by the flooding. This precautionary measure was implemented for the safety and health of the citizens, despite not being based on specific water quality data.
David Salyers, TDEC Commissioner, reassured residents about the region’s water quality, stating, “We are pleased that we can lift this contact advisory today.” After the initial emergency response to the hurricane, TDEC conducted water sampling in the affected rivers, comparing the results with historical data. The findings confirmed that water quality had returned to levels seen before Hurricane Helene.
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Efforts to clean up flood debris, both natural and man-made, have been extensive around the lakes. TDEC anticipates no further issues impacting water quality or public safety when recreational activities resume in the spring.
Regarding the safety of fish consumption from these waterbodies, TDEC has indicated no current risks. Short-term exposure to pollutants during the flooding is not expected to affect contaminant levels in fish tissue. However, any pre-existing advisories remain in effect and can be accessed on the TDEC website.
TDEC maintains a regular schedule for fish tissue monitoring, and advisories will be issued if contaminant levels surpass health safety thresholds. Upcoming contaminant testing is planned for Douglas, Fort Loudoun, and Boone reservoirs this summer and fall.
Source: Read Original Release
East Tennessee Road Construction and Closures Update
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has issued updates on construction and road closures in East Tennessee for January 9-15, 2025, affecting multiple counties with lane closures and detours due to ongoing projects and storm damage repairs. Motorists are encouraged to check the TDOT SmartWay website for the latest road conditions and follow TDOT’s Twitter accounts for live traffic updates.