TVA: May and June rainfalls marked ‘months of extremes’ in TN River Valley

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Rainfall in the Tennessee River Valley received two months of ‘rainfall extremes’ in May and June, according to a release shared by the Tennessee Valley Authority on Tuesday.

TVA said the Tennessee River Valley had an average of 7.32 inches of rainfall in May, 170% of the average rain for the month and the most rain the area has seen in May since 2003.

May’s rainfall helped the TVA’s dams produce more than 2,000 gigawatt hours of clean energy. The next month, on the other hand, the area saw only an average of 2.59 inches of rain, 60% of the normal rainfall.

TVA shared that hydroelectric generation the cheapest form of electricity generation, which helps keep fuel costs lower for consumers.

TVA currently has 29 power-generating dams throughout the Tennessee River system, some of which date back to the 1930s. In addition to the power-generating benefits, the TVA shares that the hydroelectric dams also help with flood control, river navigation, and popular recreational activities while minimizing effects on the environment.

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