Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 dam
Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1
Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1, also known as Nottely Lake, is a federally-owned structure located in Union County, Georgia, near the city of Blairsville. Built in 1942 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this rockfill dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction. Standing at a height of 54 feet with a hydraulic height of 34 feet, the dam spans 340 feet in length along the Nottely River.
Despite being a critical infrastructure for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply, Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 is classified as having a high hazard potential. This designation underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. While it does not feature a spillway, the dam's associated structures include GA29101 and GA29101S002, contributing to its overall functionality within the region.
As a key component of the Tennessee Valley Authority's operations, Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Georgia. With its strategic location and design, this dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering innovation and environmental stewardship in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the impacts of extreme weather events and changing climate patterns.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 60 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 230 cfs | → |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 245 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 57 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1.
Boat launches
- Nottely Dam Road Union County
- Watts Place South Union County
- Jack's Creek Boat Ramp
- Doucette Circle 2647, 30512
- Hiwassee Street Murphy
- Ramsey Bend South Cherokee County
Campgrounds
- Poteete Creek
- Hanging Dog
- Morganton Point
- Morganton Point Campground
- Cooper Creek Recreation Area
- Cooper Creek
Fishing spots
- Noontootla Creek Farms
- Dockery Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Tellico River
- Big Bend
- Childers Creek Trailhead
Paddle runs
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
Track Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1
Where does the data for Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Nottely Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1.