The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is currently probing an instance of vandalism at the Reelfoot Spillway, which took place late in the evening on August 24, 2025. A hole in the chain link fence of the spillway compound was evidence of unlawful entry, and the manual access control to the spillway gate was found tampered with. Notably, this security breach led to one of the spillway gates being fully opened.
An article from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports that staff did not learn about the incident until approximately 8:00 a.m. the following morning, by which time water was already discharging from the open gate. Upon discovery, TWRA acted swiftly to begin manually closing the gate, after confirming that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not opened it for any management tasks. A surveillance video identifies four males trespassing on the property, though their identities remain elusive.
The incident has prompted an investigation as officials seek to mitigate the impact of the sudden water discharge and prevent future occurrences. The TWRA Region I office is calling on the public for help, asking anyone with information about the identities of the individuals involved to step forward and assist with the investigation.
Damage to a second gauge box was also noted, but fortunately, entry to it was not accomplished. The elevation data downstream indicate that the water level began to rise at approximately 11:25 p.m. on the night of the incident, suggesting a near immediate effect on the local water system following the gate's unauthorized opening. The spillway, being a critical piece of infrastructure, is subject to strict regulations, and unauthorised access can lead to serious environmental and community risk.
Those with any information that may lead to the identity of the trespassers are highly encouraged to contact the TWRA Region I office at 731-423-6542.
