The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is set to switch things up at Cherokee Dam, trading out the old aeration system for fresh turbine tech by 2026. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is on the case, sizing up what these changes could mean for the aquatic residents, with their eyes particularly on the Striped Bass, as reported by TWRA's latest announcement.
The oxygenation lines at the bottom of Cherokee Reservoir are doing more than just meeting TVA’s dissolved oxygen requirements—they’ve become a crucial summer refuge for Striped Bass. These fish rely on cool, oxygen-rich water to survive the Tennessee heat, and natural habitats offering those conditions are scarce.
However, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is concerned that this temporary sanctuary may disappear once new turbines, designed to improve downstream oxygen levels, are installed. A similar situation in 2023, when oxygen levels dropped before the lines were activated, led to a spike in Striped Bass deaths—raising alarms about what could happen again by 2026.
TWRA is now working on a strategy to address the issue and is seeking input from anglers and the public through creel s, urveys. Those interested can share their thoughts or questions at [email protected].
