Oostanaula Creek Dam dam
Oostanaula Creek Dam
Oostanaula Creek Dam, also known as Saulpaw Mill Dam, is a historic gravity dam located in Calhoun, Tennessee, along the Oostanaula Creek. Built in 1869 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this federal-owned structure stands at 18 feet tall with a length of 60 feet, providing a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not regulated by the state, with inspections conducted by the TVA.
The dam serves as a vital component in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. With a primary purpose not specified, the Oostanaula Creek Dam has stood the test of time, showcasing its sturdy masonry construction. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its strategic location and design, highlights its importance in the local water infrastructure and its contribution to the environmental sustainability of the area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the unique features of the Oostanaula Creek Dam, including its gravity design and federal ownership. As a key structure in the TVA network, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control along the Oostanaula Creek. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, the dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence and the importance of effective water resource management in the face of 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 Oostanaula Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 27 cfs | → |
| Sewee Creek Near Decatur | 23 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 83 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Cr At Mile Straight | 1 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Creek Near Montlake | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oostanaula Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Mcminn County
- Patty Road 1527, Delano
- Dentville Road 266-362, Benton
- Tn 58 3829, Meigs County
- Highway 30 5514, Benton
- Sugar Loaf Drive Polk County
Campgrounds
- Gee Creek
- Quinn Springs Rec Area
- Chilhowee Recreation Area
- Chilhowee Rec Area
- Chilhowee Campground
- Parksville Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
- Nf Boundary To Taylor's Creek In Cherokee Nf (Tn)
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
Track Oostanaula Creek Dam 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 Oostanaula Creek Dam
Where does the data for Oostanaula Creek Dam 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 Low 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 Oostanaula Creek Dam.