Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 dam
Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3, also known as Chatuge Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Hayesville, North Carolina. Designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1942, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. Situated on the Hiwassee River, the dam spans 320 feet in length and has a hydraulic height of 24 feet, contributing to the overall water resource management in the region.
Managed by the TVA, Chatuge Dam plays a crucial role in flood control, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. With a high hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety standards. Despite lacking specific data on storage capacity and volume, the dam's importance in mitigating flood risks and supporting various water-related activities in the area underscores its significance for climate and water resource enthusiasts.
Overall, Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 stands as a key infrastructure managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, serving multiple purposes and contributing to the overall water resource management in Clay County, North Carolina. With its rich history dating back to the 1940s, the dam continues to play a vital role in flood risk reduction and water management efforts in the region, making it a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 96 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 60 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 62 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 57 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.
Boat launches
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
- Hiwassee Street Murphy
- Doucette Circle 2647, 30512
- Payne Street Murphy
Campgrounds
- Jackrabbit Mountain
- Jackrabbit Mountain Campground
- Gibson Cove Campground
- Clay County Recreation Campground
- Gibson Cove - Chatuge Reservoir
- Clay Co Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- 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
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
Track Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Where does the data for Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.