Bacteriological and Fishing Advisories

When the waters in Tennessee are found to have high bacteria levels or when fish are contaminated and pose a potential risk to people, we want to make sure that the citizens of Tennessee are aware of those threats to public health. The department notifies citizens when the waters are not safe to swim in and/or that the fish are not safe to eat. We do that through news releases, posting of warning signs and updating our advisories list.

For more information about streams, rivers, and reservoirs posted for bacteriological or fish tissue contamination, in addition to the contact listed below, you can always call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332) or e-mail AskTDEC .

Press Releases:

January 15, 2025

TDEC Lifts Water Contact  Advisory Following Hurricane Helene (all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga rivers watersheds)

• Report: Results of TDEC Evaluation of Water Quality Impacts Resulting from Hurricane Helene

October 2, 2024

TDEC Issues Temporary Water Contact Advisories for East Tennessee Areas Affected by Extreme Flooding

• EL TDEC EMITE AVISOS TEMPORALES DE CONTACTO CON EL AGUAPARA LAS ZONAS DEL ESTE DE TENNESSEE AFECTADAS POR INUNDACIONES EXTREMAS

September 7, 2023

Contact Advisories:

• Clay County - Trace Creek, Wilson Branch  (Pathogens)

Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisories:

• Blount and Monroe Counties - Chilhowee Reservoir - precautionary advisory for the consumption of black bass (mercury)
• Cheatham & Davidson Counties - Cheatham Reservoir - an extension of the precautionary advisory for consumption of catfish (PCBs)
• Coffee & Franklin Counties - Woods Reservoir - 'Do Not Consume' advisory changed to precautionary advisory for the consumption of catfish (PCBs)
• Crockett County - Davy Crockett Lake - precautionary advisory for the consumption of largemouth bass (mercury)
• Gibson County - Gibson County Lake - precautionary advisory for the consumption of largemouth bass (mercury)
• Van Buren County - Fall Creek Falls Lake - precautionary advisory for the consumption of largemouth bass

Lifting Advisories:

• Hamilton County - Citico Creek - lifting water contact advisory (pathogens)
• Scott County - Pine Creek - lifting water contact advisory  (pathogens)
• Shelby County - Mississippi River - lifting 'Do Not Consume' advisory for silver carp and bighead carp only