TVA Celebrating 87 Years Of Water Control, And Recreational Opportunities

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides electricity, flood control and navigation in seven states including parts of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. And since May 18, 1935 the huge agency establised under the FDR administration has also provided a great deal of recreation opportunities on 293 thousand acres of public lands and 650 thousand surface acres of reservoir water. including several in our region. As the TVA celebrates its 87 birthday, it continues to provide recreational opportunities favorable to our region both in pay and play. A recent report by the University of Tennessee says the agency accounts for an estimated 11 point nine billion dollars in economic benefit. By the way the TVA reopened most recreation areas including trails and boat ramps last week, as they continue to focus on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.