Changes Coming to River Gage at Tennessee River at Decatur, AL!

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
319 PM CDT Fri Jul 8 2022

...National Weather Service Updates Flood Stages for the Tennessee
River at Decatur, AL...

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Huntsville, Alabama
will be upgrading hydrologic services by adjusting flood stage
levels on the Tennessee River at Decatur, AL. The change will take
effect on Monday, August 1st, 2022. This location is a daily forecast
point. The decision to lower both Action and Flood Stage were a
direct result of field surveys and collaboration from both Morgan
County Emergency Management Agency and the Tennessee Valley
Authority. Backwater flooding upstream of the river gage itself can
cause significant issues along sloughs near Point Mallard
Campground, necessitating the evacuation of more than 200 camp sites
when flooding occurs. This affects more than 90% of the camp sites
located at Point Mallard when floodwaters range from 9-10 feet.
Additional Impact Statements will also be included in the coming
months, helping to further hone specific flooding impacts at various
river levels along the Tennessee River at Decatur.

The following changes to critical threshold levels are as follows:
Tennessee River at Decatur (DECA1)

Bankfull/Action Stage       7.5 feet (down 1.5 feet)
Minor Flood Stage           9 feet (down 1 foot)
Moderate Flood Stage        12 feet (unchanged)
Major Flood Stage           14 feet (unchanged)

"The updated action and flood stages at Decatur will allow us to
provide a higher level of service to our customers and further our
mission to protect life and property," said Meteorologist-in-Charge,
Todd Barron, at the NWS Forecast Office in Huntsville, AL. "This
upgrade in service will be very beneficial to those who depend on
this valuable information during flood situations," said Michelle
Amin, Hydrology Program Manager at the NWS Forecast Office in
Huntsville, AL. "These changes will further highlight exactly what
threats occur at specific levels along the Tennessee River,
enhancing decision-making of our partners and the public prior
to/during times of flood," Amin said.

The National Weather Service office in Huntsville provides all
weather services for 14 counties in Northern Alabama and portions of
Southern Middle Tennessee (11 in Alabama, and 3 in Tennessee). The
office collects meteorological data, prepares and disseminates
weather forecasts, river and flood forecasts and warnings, and
issues severe weather watches and warnings to the public.

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather
data, forecasts, and warnings for the United States and its
territories. It operates the most advanced weather and flood
warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect life
and property and to enhance the national economy. Visit us online
at weather.gov and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

NOAA`s mission is the understand and predict changes in the Earth`s
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the
sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.
Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

For additional information, please contact:

Todd Barron
Meteorologist in Charge
256.890.8503 x 222

Chelly Amin
Hydrology Program Manager
256.890.8503 x 225

$$

Amin