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 Obey River flows below Dale Hollow Dam near Celina, Tennessee, on the Kentucky border. Dale Hollow Lake is known for its exceptionally cold, clear water, and the tailwater below the dam supports one of the state's best brown trout fisheries. The Obey is a quieter tailwater than some of its neighbors, offering a peaceful and productive trout fishing experience in the upper Cumberland 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.
Dale Hollow Dam generates power on a peaking schedule, and releases can raise the Obey River quickly. When generators are running, wading in the lower sections near the confluence is not safe. Low-flow windows — typically just a few hours per day — are when wading is possible and trout are most active. TVA posts the next day's schedule each afternoon, and that's 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.
This is free and always will be. If it saves you a wasted drive, buy me a coffee.