TVA has created a smartphone app for those wanting to check on reservoir elevations, water release schedules and more. The information has been available online, but the new app will allow access by cell phone.

TVA’s web team came up with the idea of an application that would allow folks to use their mobile devices to access lake information and helped coordinate its development. After observing that lake information was the single most frequently accessed area of TVA’s website, they set about finding a way to optimize that information for smartphones.

Features of the TVA iPhone app include: Current elevations for all TVA lakes, water release schedules, lake operating guides, lock information and instructions, reference guide for navigation channel markers and aids and Google-based maps.

TVA has received a lot of positive feedback on both the functionality of the app and the fact that it’s been made available. Since mid-June, it’s been downloaded over 4,000 times.

That comes as no surprise to Chuck Bach, General Manager of TVA River Scheduling. “We’ve always known how important this type of information is to folks, particularly when it comes to planning their recreational activities. A smartphone app is just one more way we have of providing it to them, when and where they need it.”

Initially available only to iPhone users, the app is available at no charge through the iTunes App Store. It will also work on the iPad and the iPod Touch. An Android-based version will debut soon, and users of other smartphone systems can download a mobile version at http://m.tva.com.