Dam operators post the next day's generation schedule each afternoon. Knowing when generators are running — and when they're off — is the difference between a great day on the water and a wasted drive to a blown-out river.
Loading schedule…
The Clinch River flows below Norris Dam near Clinton, Tennessee — TVA's oldest and most storied dam. The tailwater is widely regarded as one of the Southeast's finest trout fisheries, known for its consistent cold temperatures and exceptional brown trout. The 17-mile section below the dam regularly produces fish exceeding 20 inches and receives heavy pressure from anglers across the region.
Tailwater rivers below hydroelectric dams are controlled fisheries — the river's character changes completely depending on whether the dam is generating power. When generators run, water rises, currents accelerate, and wading conditions range from difficult to dangerous. When generation stops, the river drops to a low-flow state ideal for wade fishing.
Dam operators post the next day's generation schedule each afternoon — but finding that schedule means navigating agency websites and PDFs that aren't designed for anglers. TailwaterAlerts translates that data into a clear, hourly email you can read in 30 seconds.
The TVA posts generation schedules on their website, typically between 2 and 4 PM CT for the following day. You can check the TVA schedule directly, or sign up below and TailwaterAlerts will email you a formatted, easy-to-read version the moment it posts.
Norris Dam generates power on a peaking schedule, meaning releases can happen any time of day and water levels fluctuate significantly. When generation starts, the Clinch rises quickly and wading above the knee becomes hazardous. The best wading windows — when the river is at minimum flow — can be as short as a few hours, making a daily schedule alert essential for planning.
TailwaterAlerts checks the generation schedule every 5 minutes starting at 1 PM CT. The moment the schedule posts, you get an email with a color-coded hourly breakdown and the best wading window highlighted. One email per day. Free. No app required.
Your river is pre-selected below. Add others if you fish multiple tailwaters.
This is free and always will be. If it saves you a wasted drive, buy me a coffee.