‘Summer fun’ has big impact on TVA service area’s economy
It’s no secret to Anderson County residents: Norris Lake means summer fun.
Everyone from anglers, recreational boaters, swimmers, water skiers, and campers spend the summer months enjoying the water. And while it is easy to see the recreational activities and opportunities, what is not so easily seen is the economic impact of Norris Lake on the local economy.
About three years ago, TVA asked the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to conduct a study to see just how much revenue is generated for local communities from Norris, Watts Bar, and Chickamauga Reservoirs, said Jerry Fouse, recreation strategy specialist for TVA Natural Resources.
“They sampled visiting recreationists and visitors to state parks, boat ramps, and campgrounds. They also did a mail survey to the shoreline property owners,” he said.
The total economic impact for the TVA reservoir system in Tennessee is $11.9 billion annually, an amount that would sustain about 130,000 jobs each year.
“It would provide right at $1 billion dollars each year in state and local taxes across the reservoir system,” Fouse said.
The average is roughly $1 million per mile of shoreline — a total of 10, 719.5 miles of shoreline. On Norris Lake, that average was higher at $1.4 million per mile of shoreline (809.2 miles).
Not included in the study were stream access sites and the backcountry dispersed recreation areas, which cover some 293,000 acres for activities such as hunting, camping, and hiking.
“We have not surveyed those activities. Even though the lakes are the lion’s share [of revenue] we know there are other pieces. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to conduct a study on those,” he said.
“The 293,000 acres is property which surrounds the reservoirs. When we were conducting the reservoir study, we were at marinas and commercial destinations where people go, so we missed a lot on those 293,000 acres and those recreation opportunities,” said Chris Cooper, East Region Manager for TVA Natural Resources.
“A great one for this area is Loyston Point where we have worked with TWRA for the boat ramp, worked with the campground owners and concessionaires for the campground. We built 19 miles of bike trail and now, we’re adding some more. It’s become a destination for boaters, hikers, and cyclists. We’ve got a new parking lot in there and a new pavilion with bathrooms. In this [reservoir study] we’re missing those people,” he said.
“Many families can’t afford to pick up and go to Disneyworld. There’s a lot of places on Norris Lake a family can go to and spend a week for free or at a very low cost,” Cooper added.