On 9/26/23 on or about 0900 a vessel was capsized by the spill gates of Ft. Loudoun Dam while fishing. There were two individuals on the vessel, one is injured and one is deceased.  

*** On September 26, 2023 around 0900 a 17 foot Bass Tracker was being operated below Ft. Loudoun Dam on Watts Bar in Loudon County. There were 7 spill gates open discharging water where Operator and Occupant were fishing. 

According to statements from Operator, both individuals were wearing life jackets. Occupant did not have his life jacket zipped. Operator and Occupant were fishing near the generators. The current pulled the boat towards the spillgates where the water swamped the boat and both subjects went into the water. 

Operator resurfaced and was pulled out of the water by a nearby fishing guide. Operator and Guide searched for victim but were unable to locate him. Guide then towed the flipped vessel with his boat back to the Tellico Dam Boat Ramp. Operator was transported to Ft. Loudon Medical Center for an assessment of his injuries.  Operator consented to a blood draw. Operator''s boat was loaded onto the trailer and transported to a TWRA lot.

Occupant did not survive the accident. His body was recovered around 830 yards away from the accident site, just downstream from the 321 bridge. His body was taken to Regional Forensics Center in Knoxville for an autopsy.

WATTS BAR RESERVOIR
LENOIR CITY                   