The TVA is slow, archaic. They dont build things just to build them. Severely under funded, and unable to control their own books.
Sound familiar?
That said, when they do something. They do it. Look at story if history of Wilbur Dam, look at South Holston, and Douglas Dams.
Perfect example is Boone Dam, researching how they reaolved that issue. Knew it was a problem for decades. They literally took 7-8 years to study, engineering a new method to fix, implement, test, and finally stage the reservoir back up.
Fascinating. Also, over engineered for obvious reasons.
I am thankful we have them. Certainly beats alternative, Duke Energy or privately run Dams. Or mother nature.