Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 dam
Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3, also known as Tellico Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Loudon, Tennessee. Built in 1979 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. The dam, designed by TVA, spans 350 feet and is situated along the Little Tennessee River, contributing to the area's water management and recreational activities.
With a hazard potential rated as high, Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 underwent structural modifications in 2015 to ensure its continued safety and efficacy. Despite its critical function in flood risk reduction, the dam does not have a spillway and lacks outlet gates. The surrounding area, including the city of Lenoir City, benefits from the dam's presence in managing water levels and minimizing potential risks during extreme weather events.
As climate change impacts water resources and the environment, the maintenance and monitoring of structures like Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 are crucial. With its historical significance and ongoing role in flood risk reduction, this federal-owned dam underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for continued investment in infrastructure to adapt to 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 Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 29 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 112 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 115 cfs | → |
| Emory River At Oakdale | 52 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 83 cfs | → |
| Bullrun Creek Near Halls Crossroads | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.
Boat launches
- Connatser Drive 999, Loudon County
- Melton Hill Dam Boat Ramp
- Morganton Cemetery Road Loudon County
- T V A Access Blount County
- Lake Haven Road 999, Farragut
- Loudon Highway 29272, Loudon County
Campgrounds
- Yarberry Peninsula
- Lotterdale Cove
- Poland Creek
- Toqua Beach - Tellico Lake
- Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort
- Notchy Creek - Tellico Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
Track Tellico 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 Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Where does the data for Tellico 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 Tellico Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.