Knoxville, Tenn. – In response to enhanced public health guidance from federal and
state authorities, the Tennessee Valley Authority is closing additional public recreation areas to
help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The closures will continue indefinitely.
TVA recreation areas at Chatuge, Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, the south side of
Guntersville, Normandy, Norris, Tellico and Watts Bar dams, as well as all recreation areas at
Raccoon Mountain, will be closed. They join the previously closed recreation areas at
Chickamauga and South Holston dams, and the Rockpile area near Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Boat ramps within the impacted areas will also be closed, as well as all picnic areas,
restrooms, beaches and pavilions. The public is asked not to bypass gates, fences or
barricades to access the closed areas. Law enforcement officers will be patrolling closed areas.
TVA river access points located at locations outside the affected recreation areas remain
open at this time. Trails on the more than 200,000 acres of undeveloped public land TVA
manages also remain open at this time.
TVA will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and will take additional
actions, as necessary, to help protect public health and safety