East Fork (Tannasee Creek) dam
East Fork (Tannasee Creek)
Located in Jackson, North Carolina, the East Fork (Tannasee Creek) hydroelectric dam stands as a testament to modern engineering ingenuity. Completed in 1955, this Earth-type dam boasts a height of 140 feet and a length of 385 feet, harnessing the power of the East Fork Tuckasegee River to generate hydroelectric power. With a storage capacity of 1340 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 70200 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in the region's water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the East Fork (Tannasee Creek) dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential due to its very high risk assessment rating, emergency preparedness is a top priority for this dam. Despite its age, the dam continues to operate efficiently, serving as a vital component in the local water infrastructure and contributing to the region's renewable energy goals.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the East Fork (Tannasee Creek) dam serves as a fascinating example of sustainable energy production and water management. With its controlled spillway and radial outlet gates, this dam is a key player in the region's hydroelectric power generation. As efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions continue to gain momentum, structures like the East Fork dam highlight the importance of utilizing renewable energy sources and implementing effective water resource management practices.
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 East Fork (Tannasee Creek) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 647 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 229 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 53 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 101 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 94 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Fork (Tannasee Creek) .
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Presbyterian Lake
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Tallulah Falls Lake
- Lake Rabun
- Lake Burton
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
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
Track East Fork (Tannasee Creek) 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 East Fork (Tannasee Creek)
Where does the data for East Fork (Tannasee Creek) 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 East Fork (Tannasee Creek) .