Tennessee Valley Authority biologists are conducting their fall aquatic survey to assess the overall health of fish and other aquatic life on four TVA reservoirs in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Angling enthusiasts and other members of the public interested in the state of the reservoirs and how the surveys are conducted are invited to observe. The surveys start Oct. 7, on Chickamauga Reservoir near Chattanooga. Other reservoirs to be sampled are Wheeler on Oct. 21, Kentucky on Oct. 27, and Cherokee Reservoir near Knoxville on Nov. 12.
TVA biologists use boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment to harmlessly stun the fish for a brief time and cause them to surface so they can be collected, examined and evaluated. Once weighed, measured and counted, the fish are released. Crews will also be collecting and observing benthic macroinvertibrates, which are small bottom-dwelling animals that live in or near the water.
The abundance, distribution, age, relative weight and general health of the fish are recorded and tabulated. Results of the surveys, which are conducted every other year, are used internally at TVA and shared with federal and state agencies to monitor the health of aquatic life.
During each survey, TVA fisheries biologists will leave designated boat ramps at either 7:30 a.m. CDTor 8:30 a.m. EDT and survey the aquatic life until mid-afternoon. Participants may observe survey crews in TVA boats or follow in their personal boats. Bring your own life jacket if possible.
Anyone interested in going with TVA biologists on the survey should call the TVA Public Land Information Center at 800 882-5263 to schedule a time. Space is limited. The Public Land Information Center operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, Monday-Friday. You can also reply or inquire by email toplic@tva.com.
For more specific information including times and locations, visit https://www.tva.com/Electrofishing-for-Everyone.