John Sevier Dam Modification Environmental Assessment

Hawkins County, Tennessee

On September 14, 2023, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the modification of the John Sevier Dam (JSF Dam).  

TVA evaluated three alternatives for the future disposition of the JSF Dam structure including A) taking no action, B) construction of additional rip rap armoring in conjunction with spillway modifications, and C) construction of a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam in conjunction with spillway modifications. The project area for the proposed actions covers approximately 10.2 acres: a 6.5-acre area on the north side of the Holston River encompassing the proposed access road and construction zone and support area; and a 3.7-acre area on the John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant reservation south of the Holston River that will be used for the construction office site and material storage. The proposed actions consist of the following project components: water diversion and control, demolition (Alternative B only), excavation and foundation preparation, grouting, rockfill spillway construction (Alternative B) or roller-compacted concrete gravity dam construction (Alternative C), and demobilization and site stabilization.

The Draft EA was released for comment on May 30, 2023. The Draft EA was transmitted to state, federal, and local agencies and TVA consulted with federally recognized tribes regarding the project actions. The Draft EA was also posted on TVA’s public NEPA review website. A notice of availability, including a request for comments on the Draft EA, was published in newspapers serving the Hawkins County, Tennessee area. Comments on the Draft EA were accepted for 30-days, through June 30, 2023, via TVA’s website, mail, and e-mail. TVA carefully reviewed all the substantiative comments that it received. Comments were summarized and included in Appendix A of the Final EA. TVA’s preferred alternative is Alternative C, modification of the right embankment by constructing an RCC gravity dam along the downstream side of the embankment.