Nashville, Tenn. -- In response to an extreme cold forecast coupled with the recent dry conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is actively managing several lakes across the Cumberland River Basin over the next five days to meet increasing regional power demands. The heavy hydropower generation will cause some notable changes in lake elevations over the next week.
“Lowering lake levels during the cold months is a normal part of our annual operations,” explained Robert Dillingham, water manager for the Nashville District. “However, the current extreme cold forecast requires us to increase our hydropower generation, which means the public will see lake elevations drop slightly below normal. These operations will necessitate atypical water releases and fluctuations over the next several days.”
USACE urges the public, especially marina operators and boat and dock owners, to be aware of the changing conditions and to take necessary precautions to protect their property.
The following projections are subject to change based on weather and power demands:
Laurel River Lake: Due to generation controlled by the East Kentucky Power Cooperative, heavy usage is expected, which will cause a corresponding drop in the lake elevation of many feet.
Lake Cumberland (Wolf Creek Dam): The lake will be lowered by approximately 1.5 feet over the next five days to an elevation near 687.0 feet.
Dale Hollow Lake: A drop of approximately one foot is expected over the next five days, to an elevation near 636.0 feet.
Center Hill Lake: The lake will be lowered by approximately 1.5 feet over the next five days to an elevation near 627.0 feet.
J. Percy Priest Lake: A drop of approximately one foot is expected over the next five days, to an elevation near 482.8 feet.
Cordell Hull Lake: Fluctuations of up to two feet are expected over the next several days as the entire winter operating range between elevation 501.0 feet and 499.0 feet is expected to be utilized to meet hydropower demand.”
Old Hickory Lake: The lake elevation is expected to fall to around 444.0 feet by Sunday, Dec. 14, before rising to near 445.5 feet by Tuesday. The elevation is projected to be back near its typical range between 444.5 and 445.0 feet by late next week.
No unusual fluctuations are occurring at Cheatham and Barkley reservoirs.
“We have been working closely with our hydropower partners to ensure the most efficient delivery of clean, renewable hydropower to the region’s energy needs during this period of extreme cold,” said Dillingham “As always, please use caution near dams, as the release schedule is subject to change without notice.”
Nashville District water managers do not anticipate the current dry weather pattern to continue into 2026. However, if these dry conditions persist, the public could see even lower lake elevations.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District manages the Cumberland River and its 10 tributary reservoirs to provide a wide array of public benefits, including flood risk management, navigation, hydropower, water supply, and environmental stewardship. The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on X (formerly Twitter) at www.x.com/nashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.