Modern Marvels The Tennessee Valley Authority

And to combat malaria, TVA sprayed enough insecticide to kill one-billion malaria-breeding mosquitoes. To ensure the mosquitoes did not return, entire swamps were drained. Pumps sucked 100-thousand gallons of murky swamp water every minute, sending it to the reservoirs where it could do no harm.

TVA had given the valley the tools it desperately needed. Residents were building more than an ambitious series of dams. They were building a better life.