TWRA Issues Water Contact Advisory for North Fork Holston River

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a water contact advisory for the North Fork Holston River following a flooding related incident that damaged sewer lines in Virginia.  The river continues flowing into Tennessee, prompting TDEC to issue the advisory for recreational activities including swimming, fishing, and boating.

According to TDEC, floodwaters caused a landing that held a crane to collapse damaging sewer lines at the Interstate 26 Bridge over the North Fork Holston River in Virginia.  The Virginia Department of Transportation was in the process of replacing the bridge when the incident occurred.

An estimated 30,000 gallons of sewage is spilling into the river per day and sources say it may take up to 30 days to get the crane removed and the lines repaired.  Fortunately, the river is flowing at 2,000 cubic feet per second, which is heavily diluting the sewage.

TDEC says they are sampling the river for bacteria at Carter’s Valley and at the conflux of the North Fork Holston and South Fork Holston Rivers.  They expect the results to be available tomorrow.