28-05-2025
Feedback sought on proposed changes to Percy Priest Reservoir
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is seeking input on proposed changes to the J. Percy Priest Dam and Reservoir manual, which could possibly alter the flow and drawdown of the reservoir.
According to a release, the Corps is seeking to revise the 1998 manual to include current project operations under existing Congressional authorizations.
Potential changes include updating historical data from 1970 to 2025, naming conventions, forecasting methods, structural features, watershed characteristics, communication networks and changes from previously approved EAs, according to the district.
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The Corps claims the revisions are needed for the optimal management of the reservoir as the manual 'contains project data, background information, the plan for day-to-day and emergency water management and the effects of the plan on authorized project purposes.'
There are two main proposed changes for the reservoir:
J. Percy Priest is currently operating under a seasonal flow regime with fewer releases from January to May during crop season. The seasonal flow was initially implemented to reduce the potential for flooding of farmland downstream. USACE is exploring alterations to this seasonal reduction in releases.
Currently J. Percy Priest Reservoir experiences a drawdown to winter pool levels beginning in October and targeted to end in early November. USACE is exploring a delay in the timing of this drawdown through reservoir operations.
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There will be a public meeting at the Hermitage library on James Kay Lane on June 12, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Corps is seeking comments from public, federal, state, local agencies and officials, Native Americans and any interested parties.
Comments can be sent by email to CorpsLRNPlanningPublicCom@ through June 27, 2025. Written comments can be sent to:
Attn: CELRM-PMP, Capt. LawsDepartment of the ArmyU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District110 9th Avenue South, Room A-405Nashville, Tennessee 37203
The Percy Priest Reservoir is one of four major flood risk management reservoirs for the Cumberland River and spreads throughout Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford and Wilson counties within the Stones River Watershed.
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