KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The lack of rain is causing major problems across East Tennessee where we're seeing a rise in electrical rates down to local cattle farmers still reeling from last year's historic low rainfall.

Many had hoped the early spring rains we did have would be a sign the drought is over but they were not.

During the summer rain went on the decline and we haven't had any measurable rain in a month.

TVA River Forecast Manager David Bowling says, "We are in the third year of a continuing drought."

And the numbers don't lie. The last measurable rainfall was July 31st with just point 11 inches of rain. The year to date is just less than 29 inches which is almost five inches below normal.
Add that to last year's just 20 inches of rain and the total deficit is sixteen inches.

That has had a tremendous impact on TVA's ability to generate hydroelectric power since early 2007.

Bowling says, "All we have done is the absolute minimum flows that we had committed to in our operations policy."

And without significant rainfall, TVA may not be generating more hydroelectric power in the future.

Bowling says, "The average of the ten largest tributary reservoirs right now is over 16 feet below where we would like to be this time of year."

But the lack of rain has continued last year's problems for the east Tennessee cattle farmer.

Angus Cattle Farmer Raymond Harrison says, "We've sold 31 head of bred angus cows two months ago plus a couple of bulls."

Early spring rains had given Harrison hope that was dashed this month.

Harrison says, "The grass is once again stalled. There's nothing there."

So will an early hay cutting get him through the winter or will Harrison be hay shopping?

Harrison says, "This point right now, no. I'll have to buy more hay."

But Raymond Harrison is thankful because he says there's a new trend in cattle farming because of the drought.

Harrison says, "These people are going out. They're actually going out of business and a lot of the older ones are saying we will not be going back in."

Harrison says some farmers will get a second cutting of hay this year, but he expects his second cutting to be poor quality. Weeds have taken over where the grass once grew.

Meanwhile, David Bowling with TVA says the minimum flows decrease even further in the fall and winter, and he expects hydroelectric power generation to dwindle even more unless there's significant rainfall.