Congressman asks TVA for higher summer water levels in Georgia lake

U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) sent a letter recently to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) concerning the annual drawdown of water in Lake Blue Ridge, located in Fannin County, Georgia.

 Current TVA guidelines call for the lake to be below full volume for much of the year, including part of the summer, which shortens the season for boating and other recreational activities.

Collins issued the following statement after sending the letter.

“Increasing the water levels in the lake for the entire summer will draw more tourism to Fannin County, which would pave the way for economic growth and prosperity in an area where unemployment is over 10 percent,” Collins said. “Extending the period of time for the lake to be at its fullest and most beautiful will not affect the other lakes in the TVA network and will provide more opportunity for business and revenue in this rural county.”

“I urge the TVA to implement the recommendations of the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association, who have presented them with a workable, common-sense solution that will have numerous benefits in their community,” Collins said.