The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating vandalism at the Reelfoot Lake Spillway.
On Sunday night around 11:00, four males were caught on video breaking into a fenced compound at the spillway.
The following morning, TWRA staff discovered the spillway gate was open and water was discharging.
After confirming the gate was not opened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for management purposes, a manual shutdown procedure began.
During an investigation, the TWRA found a hole cut in the chain link fence, the manual control box tampered with, and a second gauge box damaged.
Video showed the group entering through the rear gate, and using the manual override switch to open one spillway gate to full capacity.
The case is still under investigation and anyone with any information to help identify those involved is urged to contact TWRA Region 1 at 731-423-6542.
(photos: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)
