Rare tours of Kentucky Dam will celebrate TVA turning 90

The Tennessee Valley Authority turns 90 on Thursday.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the act in 1933 to improve navigation and flood control on the Tennessee River. Construction of Kentucky Dam began in 1938, and in 1944 its completion created the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. 

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, TVA will allow a very limited number of public tours of the inner workings of Kentucky Dam in June.

Tours will be offered twice each day on June 2 and June 9. Each 60-90 minute tour will be limited to only 20 people. 

Since demand is very high to attend a tour, TVA is implementing a lottery system.  They'll randomly draw names for each session. Registration ends May 21, and winners will be notified after May 26.

Details and entry forms are available online at tva.com/90 . 

Tours will also be offered at several other TVA dams through September:

Raccoon Mountain – June 23 and July 14
Norris Dam – July 7 and August 11
Chickamauga Dam – July 21 and August 25
Fontana Dam – July 28
Wilson Dam – August 4 and August 18
Pickwick Dam – September 8

Even if you don't win a spot in the lottery tours, you are welcome to go to the TVA visitor center from April to October at 640 Kentucky Dam Road in Grand Rivers.




(Photo TVA)