Public Tours in Raccoon Mountain Occur First Time Since 9/11

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Those of an older generation might remember public tours of the TVA power storage facility on Raccoon Mountain.

Those were stopped because of strict security measures after 9/11.

Now for their 90th anniversary, they are allowing tours once again.

Built in the 1970s, Raccoon Mountain is a critical piece of TVA’s infrastructure.

The inside of the Raccoon Mountain Power Storage Facility’s Powerhouse.

The water found at the upper reservoir at the top of the mountain falls nearly a thousand feet to the generators found inside the powerhouse.

There are four generators, with one currently being upgraded, that combined supply over 16-hundred megawatts.

TVA says this facility produces electricity for up to a million customers.

That lays a huge responsibility on the 35 employees of Raccoon Mountain.

A senior operator at the facility, Holli Hess, talked about, “Morning meetings, talking about plant status, talking about what activities we are doing here to keep the units reliable.”

A maintenance foreman at the facility, Tony Weathers, said, “We keep the units running, all the auxiliary equipment, all the CM’s, corrective maintenance, and preventative maintenance.:

The experience of these employees helps keep power flowing.

Weathers said, “I’ve been with TVA 15 years here at this facility. I’m an electrician by trade.”

Hess said, “My degree is in engineering, which I love, and this being an engineering marvel, it seems to be a perfect fit.”

Those selected to be in the small tour group of 20 were blown away.

One participant, Andrew Shevchuk, said, “I’m impressed at just the scale of it and the history behind it. It really makes you feel American and proud of how our country built this great facility.”

Those interested have a chance to tour.

But they must act fast.

The TVA is taking applications on their website for tours at Racoon Mountain on July 14.

There are also tours available on July 21 at Chickamauga Dam.

There are only 40 spots available on each day so they will select by random drawing who gets to attend.

You must apply by Sunday night, June 25, and learn by next Friday if you’re one of the lucky ones.

Hess said, “It’s great to have people down here and get to see what I see every single day.”

Weathers said, “I grew up in the area, born and raised here in Chattanooga. It’s a tremendous honor to work at a facility like this and with the people that I work with.”