Drought Update
Everyone knows we’ve been in an exceptional drought for quite some time here in the Duck River region. Rainfall is drastically below normal and we have more people, industry and irrigation needs than ever before. Without significant rainfall, we may be looking at some water restrictions in the not too distant future.
This is not from any local mismanagement. Our reservoir, Normandy has been exceptionally well operated. Lush amounts of water strategically stored have provided countless recreational opportunities and always provided a predictable potable water supply.
The Duck River, through man’s direct intervention has become a literal sanctuary for fauna and flora. Deer, turkey, otter, Bald Eagles, beavers, 147 fish species, 22 types of snails and at least 53 different types of mussels thrive there. Trees, grasses, wildflowers and algae’s of all variety are plentiful.
Now, a balancing act is occurring between human and nature’s direct needs. Wastewater treatment plants, industry and concentrated animal feeding operations all have a legitimate need for plentiful water downstream from Normandy Reservoir. In many cases, they will be in direct violation of state and federal environmental regulations if they discharge their waste in less than minimal flows of water. Antiquated treatment methods and inefficient systems take much more than their share of our water resources, which becomes clearly visible in our present situation.
The Duck River Agency, to include the Duck River Utility Commission has been sounding the alarm for many months, with little attention being paid. This is no longer the case. I have seen first-hand our issue go from just a blip on the radar to the issue of most importance in drought discussions across the state.
I have the privilege of having been able to attend weekly drought task force meetings, as well as meetings of the Tennessee Water Resources Technical Advisory Committee. I have participated in the advocacy for attention to our situation for many months also, all in tandem with local governing entities and utilities. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that everyone-from Governor Bredesen down, and our federal elected officials that need to be involved in the matter are involved.
I anticipate two direct actions to come about in the near future.
The first will be a detailed emergency action plan that should include, step by step macro and micro changes to be implemented in the event of a continued exceptional drought. This plan should include not only measures to be taken, but also the costs and commitment of funds to purchase necessary equipment and services should they be required. Our citizens and our governing officials need to know the details of any such plan in advance in order to make proper preparations if the situation does not begin to reverse itself.
A second issue I hope will be settled is getting the state and federal government dancing together in order to implement a more elastic plan for controlling the output from Normandy Reservoir. Not only do we need to reduce the consistent overall flow now, we also need TVA to adjust the dam’s gates on as as-needed basis in order to preserve as much water as possible during substantial rain events. We need one official who has the authority to make a decision and implement it almost immediately that best takes advantage of water in the reservoir and downstream.
We are all thankful that the proper management of our water resources has always provided more water than we want. Now, we are all reminded of the paramount importance of our water resource and how it cannot be taken for granted.