Lake levels guide
TVA winter drawdown 2026–27: when each lake drops and how far
How far and how fast every TVA lake falls this winter, from TVA’s own operating-guide curves: summer pool, the Jan. 1 target, the winter low and where each lake is today.
Short answer: TVA’s tributary storage lakes fall the furthest. On TVA’s 2026 operating-guide curves the biggest summer-to-winter drops are Fontana Lake (58 ft), Douglas Lake (46 ft), Hiwassee Lake (45 ft). Main-river lakes on the Tennessee River move only a few feet; Chickamauga Lake 6.2 ft, Kentucky Lake 5.0 ft, Watts Bar Lake 4.8 ft.
Why TVA lowers its lakes
TVA keeps lakes high for recreation between June 1 and Labor Day, then lowers its flood-storage reservoirs to make room for runoff from winter storms, the Valley’s main flood season. Tributary storage reservoirs start falling faster after Labor Day weekend. On the main river the drawdown is staggered: Kentucky Lake after the Fourth of July weekend; Chickamauga, Guntersville, Wheeler and Pickwick after Labor Day; Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar on November 1. Reservoirs are typically down to their winter flood-guide levels by January 1, and aggressive refilling of the tributaries begins in mid-March (TVA: Understanding the Drawdown; TVA: How TVA Manages Water Levels).
Every TVA lake: today vs. the guide, and the winter low
Live data as of Oct 26, 2026. Elevations in feet above sea level. “Guide today” and the curve values come from each lake’s TVA operating guide (2026 curve). The winter low is the lowest point on the curve between January and May. TVA may run a lake below its guide in dry weather and above it during floods.
| Lake | Today | Guide today | vs guide | Summer pool (curve top) | Dec 31 guide | Winter low (date) | Summer → low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fontana Lake | 1,669.4 | 1,667.2 | +2.3 ft | 1,703.0 | 1,647.8 | 1,645.2 (Feb 12) | 57.8 ft |
| Douglas Lake | 965.6 | 964.8 | +0.8 ft | 993.9 | 950.0 | 948.0 (Feb 12) | 45.9 ft |
| Hiwassee Lake | 1,490.8 | 1,491.1 | −0.3 ft | 1,520.9 | 1,479.0 | 1,476.0 (Feb 12) | 44.9 ft |
| Cherokee Lake | 1,051.5 | 1,051.0 | +0.5 ft | 1,070.8 | 1,041.0 | 1,039.0 (Feb 12) | 31.8 ft |
| Norris Lake | 1,003.9 | 1,003.3 | +0.6 ft | 1,020.0 | 994.0 | 991.0 (Feb 12) | 29.0 ft |
| South Holston Lake | 1,713.9 | 1,713.4 | +0.5 ft | 1,729.0 | 1,704.8 | 1,703.2 (Feb 12) | 25.8 ft |
| Blue Ridge Lake | 1,671.4 | 1,671.0 | +0.4 ft | 1,686.9 | 1,664.8 | 1,664.8 (Jan 1) | 22.1 ft |
| Lake Nottely | 1,763.4 | 1,763.0 | +0.5 ft | 1,776.9 | 1,758.0 | 1,756.0 (Feb 12) | 20.9 ft |
| Tims Ford Lake | 886.6 | 881.9 | +4.7 ft | 888.0 | 870.0 | 870.0 (Jan 1) | 18.0 ft |
| Watauga Lake | 1,948.8 | 1,952.7 | −3.9 ft | 1,959.0 | 1,949.2 | 1,947.8 (Feb 12) | 11.2 ft |
| Normandy Lake | 868.4 | 872.8 | −4.4 ft | 875.0 | 864.0 | 864.0 (Jan 1) | 11.0 ft |
| Lake Chatuge | 1,918.9 | 1,918.6 | +0.2 ft | 1,925.9 | 1,916.0 | 1,915.0 (Feb 12) | 10.9 ft |
| Bear Creek Lake | 574.0 | 576.0 | −2.0 ft | 576.0 | 566.0 | 566.0 (Jan 1) | 10.0 ft |
| Chickamauga Lake | 679.1 | 679.0 | +0.1 ft | 682.2 | 676.0 | 676.0 (Jan 1) | 6.2 ft |
| Kentucky Lake | 354.6 | 354.6 | +0.1 ft | 359.0 | 354.0 | 354.0 (Jan 1) | 5.0 ft |
| Watts Bar Lake | 740.6 | 740.8 | −0.1 ft | 740.8 | 736.0 | 736.0 (Jan 1) | 4.8 ft |
| Fort Loudoun Lake | 812.5 | 812.8 | −0.2 ft | 812.8 | 808.0 | 808.0 (Jan 1) | 4.8 ft |
| Wheeler Lake | 553.1 | 553.0 | +0.1 ft | 555.8 | 551.0 | 551.0 (Jan 1) | 4.8 ft |
| Pickwick Lake | 411.0 | 411.0 | −0.1 ft | 413.8 | 409.0 | 409.0 (Jan 1) | 4.8 ft |
| Guntersville Lake | 593.9 | 593.9 | ±0.0 ft | 594.8 | 593.3 | 593.3 (Jan 1) | 1.5 ft |
| Nickajack Lake | 633.5 | 633.5 | ±0.0 ft | 633.5 | 633.5 | 633.5 (Jan 1) | 0.0 ft |
How to read your lake’s numbers
- Summer pool is the flat top of the curve. TVA’s curves hold it from Jun 4 to Aug 27 on Fontana Lake.
- Guide today is where TVA’s operating guide puts the lake on today’s date. A lake running a foot or two above or below that is normal. Several feet off means rain or drought.
- Dec 31 guide is roughly the January 1 flood-guide level TVA aims to reach.
- Winter low is the bottom of the curve. On the tributaries it comes in late winter, just before the mid-March refill.
What it means on the water
A 20- to 30-foot drop exposes ramps, points and stumps that are underwater all summer. If your ramp or dock is near the summer waterline, check your lake page before you tow the boat. Each lake page shows the live level, TVA’s guide line, the next days of TVA’s forecast and the generation schedule. Watch the Norris Lake chart through December to see the curve in action.
FAQ
When does TVA start the winter drawdown?
Tributary storage lakes start falling faster after Labor Day weekend. On the main river, Kentucky Lake starts after the Fourth of July weekend, Chickamauga, Guntersville, Wheeler and Pickwick after Labor Day, and Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar on November 1 (TVA).
How far do TVA lakes drop in winter?
It depends on the lake. On TVA’s operating-guide curves the tributary storage lakes drop the most, Fontana Lake about 58 ft, Douglas Lake about 46 ft, Hiwassee Lake about 45 ft. Main-river lakes drop only a few feet.
When do TVA lakes fill back up?
TVA begins aggressive filling of tributary reservoirs in mid-March and aims to reach summer levels by June 1. Main-river reservoirs are held lower until late April or early May (TVA).
Why is my lake below the guide curve?
Dry weather. TVA must release water to meet minimum flows downstream even when inflow is low, so in a dry fall a lake can run below its guide. After heavy rain it can sit above the guide while TVA releases floodwater.
More guides
- What does “full pool” mean?Conservation pool vs. flood pool vs. summer pool, with today’s numbers from Lanier to Lake Mead.
- Texas lake levels todayStatewide storage, the lowest and fullest lakes, and every reservoir’s percent full.
- Bass fishing water temperature chartSpawning and feeding temperatures from fish agencies, plus live lake water temperatures.
- What CFS is safe for kayaking and rafting?Live flows against American Whitewater ranges for classic Eastern runs.
- Ocoee, Nantahala, Pigeon and Hiwassee release schedulesRemaining 2026 release dates, how the season ran, and where the 2027 calendars will appear.