Cedar Cliff - Spillway dam
Cedar Cliff - Spillway
Cedar Cliff Spillway is a crucial infrastructure located in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, along the East Fork Tuckasegee River. Built in 1952, this concrete dam stands at a height of 25 feet and serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 6200 acre-feet and a surface area of 121 acres, Cedar Cliff Spillway plays a significant role in water resource management and energy production in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Cedar Cliff Spillway has a controlled spillway type with a width of 25 feet and is equipped with a Tainter (radial) outlet gate. The dam has a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures. Despite its condition assessment being listed as "not available," Cedar Cliff Spillway remains a critical piece of infrastructure for both water resource and climate enthusiasts, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the local ecosystem.
As an integral part of the Nashville District and owned by a Public Utility, Cedar Cliff Spillway represents a blend of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. Its location in the picturesque Jackson County, North Carolina, underscores the intersection of human ingenuity with natural beauty, making it a site of interest for those passionate about water resources and climate resilience. With its hydroelectric capabilities and strategic design, Cedar Cliff Spillway stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of infrastructure and ecology in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Cedar Cliff - Spillway -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 647 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 53 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 479 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cedar Cliff - Spillway .
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
Track Cedar Cliff - Spillway 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 Cedar Cliff - Spillway
Where does the data for Cedar Cliff - Spillway 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 Cedar Cliff - Spillway .