ID`s Released in Ocoee River Deaths - TVA Says Water Levels Not to Blame скачать в хорошем качестве

ID`s Released in Ocoee River Deaths - TVA Says Water Levels Not to Blame

Authorities have released the identities of two women who were killed in separate incidents while rafting the Ocoee River over the weekend.Marnita McGruder from Rex, Ga., 52, died Saturday (Aug. 24) Katherine Tyler Luna from Smyrna, Tenn., 37, was killed Sunday (Aug. 25).Both deaths occurred at a rapid called Grumpy's. It is considered a Class IV level rapid. A Class V is considered the most dangerous. It is a rapid to be very respected. this whole river deserves respect, said Cole Henderson, an experienced kayaker.Under normal conditions TVA has the ability to regulate water flow down the Ocoee. Some rafting outfitters have complained that TVA was allowing too much water to flow down the river over the weekend.TVA released this official statement via e-mail Monday afternoon:Initial media reports over the weekend misreported the river flow rate at the time of the accident on Saturday, Aug. 24, as exceeding the 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) level for suspending commercial whitewater operation on the middle section of the Ocoee. This section is between Ocoee Dam No. 2 and the Ocoee No. 2 powerhouse, which is 5 miles downstream. Some water is diverted at Dam No. 2 to bypass the river and travel down a manmade channel or flume to the No. 2 powerhouse. Under agreement, TVA notifies the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation when the flow rate exceeds 3,000 cubic feet per second, and TDEC suspends rafting. On Saturday, around the time of the incident, the flow rate on the middle section of the Ocoee was approximately 2,300-2,600 cubic feet per second. On Sunday, around the time of the second incident, the flow rate on the middle section of the Ocoee was approximately 2,200 2,500 cubic feet per second. TVA uses real-time monitoring equipment that measures water elevations and calculates flow rates going over the top of the Ocoee No. 2 Dam that supplies water for rafting. Information on TVAs website about Ocoee Dam No. 2 is a combination of river flows at the Ocoee No. 2 dam and the volume of water diverted by the Ocoee Flume, which bypasses the middle section of the river where recreational rafting is held. TVA is reviewing the river condition data it recorded in real time over the weekend and will provide that information to assist any agencies investigating the tragic incidents. TVA is not conducting an investigation, as water releases and notifications were within TVAs established policies. Water on the Ocoee River is carefully controlled to meet the benefits of recreation, water quality, water supply and power generation, said John McCormick, senior vice president River Operations and Renewables. We want everyone to enjoy the excellent recreational opportunities all across the Tennessee Valley and rafting on the nationally recognized Ocoee River can be a thrilling adventure. However this is a difficult reminder that this and other water activities carry some risk.