Safety in Sight: Warnings For Danger At Dam

As anglers cast off below the dam, they could spot a change along the shoreline: newly installed safety signs, replacing the faded, weather-worn ones that had stood for decades.

TVA Photo

With bold lettering, bright colors, and reflective materials designed to stand out in low light, these new signs serve as a clear reminder to stay alert when enjoying TVA reservoirs.

The upgraded signs are part of a larger effort to amplify dam safety awareness across the Valley region, Harrison Strickland, TVA’s program manager for public safety around dams, said. “One of our main goals is that the presence of these signs will give people more of an opportunity to be aware of the present dangers,” he said.

New sign at Pickwick Dam warns of the dam ahead and hazardous waters

Promoting Safe Practices
As part of a broader effort to strengthen public awareness about hazardous areas near TVA dams, the Dam Safety Governance team partnered with TVA Communications to develop a new generation of safety signs to replace the originals that have been at Pickwick, some of which had been there since the 1950s.

In total, eight new signs were installed at Pickwick – two upstream of the dam, three downstream of the dam, and three along the dam wall. Pickwick is the first site in a multi-dam upgrade plan that will extend to Kentucky, Fort Loudoun, Nickajack, Watts Bar, and Guntersville.

“We prioritized these sites based upon the number of incidents that have occurred,” Strickland said. “Our goal is to see fewer people doing dangerous things and more people paying attention to the warning systems and making safer decisions.”

To maximize visibility, TVA crews cleared brush around the sign areas and upgraded the signs with prismatic retro-reflective materials that capture and return light. This feature helps the signs stand out in low light, when hazards can be at their highest.

The upgraded signs work in tandem with TVA’s existing spillway and tailwater warning systems, which include strobe lights, sirens, and electronic displays that activate when water is released.

TVA photos, Adam May

Along with TVA’s Lake Levels website, these systems are designed to alert boaters early, before entering hazardous conditions.

“Our assets are there to inform visitors and give them a chance to see and hear the warnings,” Strickland said. “That way, they know that there’s a potential hazard and they need to turn around.”

Shared Responsibility
Even with upgraded signs and TVA’s warning systems, safety on the reservoirs is a shared responsibility.

Generations of families have grown up around TVA reservoirs, and that familiarity can sometimes lead people to underestimate the risks near dams.

“The first thing we have to message against is complacency,” Strickland said. “It’s easy to think, ‘I’ve got the biggest boat out here – nothing’s going to happen to me.’ But that’s simply not true.”

This summer, the TVA Public Safety Around Dams program will bring local first responders and TVA Police together at Pickwick for a risk‑assessment workshop to review incident history and identify ways to reduce hazards along the reservoir. The discussions are an important community outreach tool that reinforces the public’s role in using waterways responsibly.

When it comes to preventing boater accidents, preparation is key.

When it comes to preventing boater accidents, preparation is key.

“Before you go out on the water, double-check that all your equipment is operating correctly,” Strickland said. “Check that your outboard and trolling motors are working correctly, the instruments on your panel are operating as they should, and you’ve got an adequate number of life jackets on board.”

By pairing TVA’s safety measures with personal responsibility, attention to warning signs, and awareness of changing water conditions, visitors can enjoy the Tennessee River system safely for all seasons.

“Nobody goes out on the water expecting to have a bad day,” Strickland said. “We want to make sure people have the information they need to make good decisions so they can not only enjoy all of the great recreation opportunities, but also return home safely.”

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