KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Boone Reservoir near Johnson City will have its level dropped five weeks early as Tennessee Valley Authority engineers search for the source of water seepage.
The move comes after a sinkhole was discovered near an earthen embankment at the dam.
TVA Vice President of River Operations John McCormick told The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1rXd2tq ) engineers want to be able to see what caused the sinkhole and where water and sediment is coming from.
The sinkhole, which was discovered last week, has already been repaired and was near the base of the embankment. Water and sediment were found Sunday seeping from the river bank below the dam.
The early drawdown means Boone Reservoir levels will reach winter pool by Nov. 10, about five weeks sooner than normal.
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Online: www.tva.com/river .
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Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
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