Beginning this month, TVA campgrounds on reservoirs throughout the Tennessee Valley will open for the 2000 season with no change in fees, and some campgrounds along with several picnic areas and other public-use recreation areas will have improvements. Eight campgrounds will open on a staggered schedule beginning March 13, and all will be open by April 21. TVA operates about 100 public recreation areas throughout the Valley, including 11 campgrounds, day-use areas, and boat launch ramps. Recreation is one of many benefits of TVA reservoirs, as we operate the system to optimize a balance of benefits, including navigation, flood control, power generation, and water supply and quality. Holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports receive a 50 percent discount on camping fees.
Passports are available at most federally operated recreation areas.
TVA's day-use areas and boat launch ramps have no fees. At recreation areas managed through a partnership arrangement with TVA, private operators or public agencies may charge fees for boat launching and day-use to help cover maintenance expenses. Construction of new courtesy piers, which make boat loading and unloading safer and more convenient, at several boat launching ramp locations, including Watauga Dam, Cherokee Dam, Loyston Point on Norris Reservoir, Guild, Cole City Creek, Grand Canyon and Shellmound on Nickajack Reservoir, Chickamauga Dam, two ramps below Guntersville Dam, Fleet Harbor ramp at Wilson Dam, Melton Hill Dam tailwater ramp, Fort Loudoun Dam tailwater ramp and the ramp below Hiwassee Dam. Installation of water and electric hookups at Barton Springs campground on Normandy Reservoir, Loyston Point campground on Norris, and Pickwick Dam campground. Construction of new picnic pavilion at Chickamauga Dam.