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 South Holston River flows below South Holston Dam near Bristol, Tennessee. Often called the 'Sulphur River' for its extraordinary sulphur hatches, the South Holston is considered one of the finest dry-fly tailwaters in the eastern United States. The river produces exceptional wild rainbow and brown trout in a relatively short but highly productive tailwater section.
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.
South Holston Dam typically generates on a predictable morning and evening schedule, but that schedule changes daily based on TVA's power needs. Low water windows — often mid-morning through early afternoon — are prime time for wade fishing and dry fly presentations. Rising water during generation can be sudden and swift, so knowing the day's schedule before you leave is essential.
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.
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