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.
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The Holston Tailwater below Cherokee Dam near Jefferson City, Tennessee is a productive trout fishery on the lower Holston River. Cold releases from Cherokee Lake support rainbow and brown trout in a section of river that flows through the East Tennessee Valley. The Holston tailwater is a popular destination for Knoxville-area anglers and offers solid trout fishing year-round.
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.
Cherokee Dam generates power on a daily schedule that changes based on TVA's system demand. Releases can raise the Holston several feet, making wading dangerous in the lower sections. Low-flow windows — when generation is at minimum — are the best time to wade the Holston tailwater and typically offer the most active trout. TVA posts the schedule the day before, giving you the information you need to plan your trip.
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.
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