Temporary Suspension of Minimum Flow at Tallulah Falls Dam

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has received a notification from Georgia Power Company regarding a temporary suspension of continuous minimum flow at Tallulah Falls Dam on August 7, 2025. The company released a continuous flow of 35 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the dam in accordance with Article 408, but this flow was temporarily ceased at the request of Rabun County emergency responders for a rescue operation in the gorge of the Tallulah Gorge State Park. The minimum flow valve was closed for approximately four hours, during which time the flow measured at the USGS gage reached a minimum of 5.17 cfs.

Key Takeaways:

• The North Georgia Hydroelectric Project, licensed by FERC on October 3, 1996, has a continuous minimum flow of 35 cfs from Tallulah Falls Dam in accordance with Article 408.
• On August 7, 2025, Georgia Power received a request to cease minimum flow for a rescue operation, and the minimum flow valve was closed at approximately 3:30 p.m. EDT.
• The valve was reopened three hours and fifteen minutes later at 6:45 p.m. EDT, resulting in a temporary suspension of minimum flow for approximately four hours.
• The flow measured at the USGS gage reached a minimum of 5.17 cfs during the deviation.
• Georgia Power is responsible for releasing a continuous minimum flow of 35 cfs from the dam, which is measured downstream of the dam at the USGS gage 02181580.
• The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are being notified of the temporary suspension of minimum flow via this letter.

Statistics:

• 35 cfs: The continuous minimum flow released from Tallulah Falls Dam in accordance with Article 408.
• 3:30 p.m. EDT: The time the minimum flow valve was closed on August 7, 2025.
• 6:45 p.m. EDT: The time the minimum flow valve was reopened on August 7, 2025.
• 4 hours: The duration of the temporary suspension of minimum flow.
• 5.17 cfs: The minimum flow measured at the USGS gage during the deviation.

Sources:

• Article 408: The regulations outlining the continuous minimum flow requirements for Tallulah Falls Dam.
• FERC license issued on October 3, 1996: The license governing the North Georgia Hydroelectric Project.
• Rabun County emergency responders: The responders who requested the cessation of minimum flow for the rescue operation.
• USGS gage 02181580: The gage used to measure the flow downstream of the dam.
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources: The agency being notified of the temporary suspension of minimum flow.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The agency being notified of the temporary suspension of minimum flow.
• Southern Company Generation: The company responsible for operating the North Georgia Hydroelectric Project.