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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has lifted an advisory that told the public to avoid all contact with waterbodies affected by the extreme flooding from Hurricane Helene.

The advisory issued Oct. 2 applied to all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga rivers watersheds as well as any other waters affected by the flooding. The advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution and had not been based on any specific water quality data.

“We want to reassure Tennesseans of the water quality in the region,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “TDEC issued the water contact advisory out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of the health and safety of our citizens. We are pleased that we can lift this contact advisory today.” 

Once the immediate emergency response phases for the hurricane had passed and the waters began to visibly clear, TDEC began sampling the rivers affected by the flooding. It compared the results to a long history of data from the rivers and found that water quality had returned to pre-Helene conditions. Results of the water sample analysis can be found here.

There have been massive cleanup efforts around the lakes to remove as much flood debris as possible, both natural woody debris and human structural debris. TDEC does not envision any scenario where water quality or public safety would still be impaired this spring when recreational activities resume.

TDEC has also received inquiries about the safety of fish consumption from the waterbodies affected by Helene. TDEC has no reason to believe that fish consumption from these waterbodies is not safe. Short-term exposure to any pollutants during the flood event should not have an effect on the levels of contaminants in fish tissue. Any pre-existing fish consumption advisories are still in place and can be viewed online at the TDEC website.

TDEC regularly schedules fish tissue monitoring and advisories will be issued if levels of harmful pollutants exceed human health trigger criteria. Fish are scheduled to be collected from Douglas, Fort Loudoun and Boone reservoirs for contaminant testing this summer and fall.