TVA does not control flooding on the Nolichucky River until it empties into Douglas Lake. The Nolichucky Dam is a "run-of-the-river" dam, meaning it does not provide water storage to control flooding.

For many, the Nolichucky River is a place to admire nature's beauty, but during the floods from Helene, the river became a destructive force.

“Between the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River, as well as the many other ... It’s probably the main reason why the TVA did not build a dam here and build a hydroelectric plant.” ...