EPA completes Hurricane Helene cleanup at Douglas Lake in partnership with federal, state and local agencies
DANDRIDGE, Tennessee (July 31, 2025) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed its role in the massive debris removal at Douglas Lake, EPA’s final mission following Hurricane Helene. EPA conducted the work in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as the lead agency, along with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Jefferson County.
“We are proud to have played a part in this major cleanup, an incredible collaborative effort among local, state and federal agencies in the aftermath of a catastrophic weather event,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “This cleanup called for an all-hands-on-deck approach, and everyone delivered. Douglas Lake is again a beautiful amenity in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains for people of all ages to enjoy.”
“Douglas Lake is more than a landmark—it’s a vital part of the Tennessee Valley, fueling recreation, supporting the local economy, and anchoring the communities that surround it,” said TVA Vice President, Civil Projects, Scott Turnbow. “When Tropical Storm Helene struck, leaving behind widespread debris, TVA knew we had a responsibility to act quickly—and to act in partnership. This cleanup effort has shown the very best of what interagency and community collaboration can achieve. Together with our federal, state and local partners, we’ve restored not only the lake’s beauty, but also its function as a critical resource for the region. TVA is proud to be part of a team that puts community, safety and stewardship first.”
“Our strength as Tennesseans lies in how we respond together,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “Through a unified cleanup effort at Douglas Lake, we have been able to give this community a sense of renewal.”
“It was truly a pleasure working with TVA, FEMA, the State of Tennessee and other support agencies like the EPA and USACE Nashville District on such a unique and complex cleanup effort,” said Gary Lammers, USACE debris subject matter expert at Douglas Lake. “I really believe that each agency had valuable experience and knowledge that contributed to the successful completion of this project.”
Douglas Lake became a receptacle for debris from waterways in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As part of the cleanup, workers removed more than 2,667 tons of general construction materials and debris. That’s more than 2 million linear feet and the equivalent of more than 377 miles. Staff and volunteers logged more than 80,000 hours. EPA’s role was to ensure hazardous materials recovered from the lake cleanup were properly handled.
Today, Douglas Lake has good water quality and is again a popular family destination for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming and boating.
Background
TVA built the Douglas Dam on the French Broad River in East Tennessee in 1942. The reservoir extends 43 miles upriver from the dam through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a hydroelectric facility with four generating units with a net dependable capacity of 111 megawatts.
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the TVA service area as a tropical storm causing heavy rain, flash flooding and widespread destruction. Historic flooding created a field of debris in Douglas Lake. The state of Tennessee tasked TVA with leading efforts to remove and dispose of disaster-related debris in and around the lake in coordination with EPA, FEMA, USACE, OSHA, TWRA and Jefferson County. Crews cleared floating debris from the lake and debris from dry lake areas, which presented immediate risks to public health and safety.
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