TVA warns boaters of continued lower lake levels in wake of drought and water released for power generation.

Byline: Robert Klemko

Jun. 27--Water levels across the Tennessee Valley continue to drop in the wake of the worst drought in more than 100 years, and TVA authorities are working to respond to a 50 percent drop in expected rainfall for the year.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has drained a portion of South Holston Lake into other tributaries in the valley in order to keep a steady flow to the power generating dams throughout the 40,000-square-mile watershed.

"We're forced to start pulling water out in order to meet downstream flow commitments," said David L. Bowling, manager of TVA's River Forecast Center. "In early February, we saw that the …