Cheoah Valley Dam dam
Cheoah Valley Dam
Cheoah Valley Dam, also known as Shuler Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Swain, North Carolina, near the city of Chilhowee. Completed in 1956, this earth-type dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, providing a serene spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a hydraulic height of 46 feet and a structural height of 48 feet, the dam boasts a maximum storage capacity of 96 acre-feet and a normal storage of 84 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 5 acres.
Despite its recreational charm, Cheoah Valley Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its fair condition assessment as of January 2017. The dam is regulated by various state agencies including the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. While the dam has not undergone major modifications over the years, its emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures remain unclear. With a distance of 18 miles from the Alken Branch river, the dam plays a crucial role in water management within the Nashville District.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a picturesque retreat, Cheoah Valley Dam offers a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. While its high hazard potential may raise concerns, the dam's state-regulated status and fair condition assessment reflect ongoing efforts to ensure safety and compliance. With its tranquil surroundings and potential for outdoor activities, Cheoah Valley Dam stands as a testament to the delicate balance between water management and environmental conservation in the heart of North Carolina's scenic landscape.
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 Cheoah Valley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 134 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 106 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 110 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 146 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 104 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 423 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cheoah Valley Dam.
Boat launches
- Slickrock Creek Trail Monroe County
- Meadow Branch Road Graham County
- Calderwood Highway Blount County
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1986, Graham County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
Campgrounds
- 95 Dalton Branch
- Bear Creek Hunt Camp
- 93 Twentymile Creek
- 13 Sheep Pen Gap
- 92 Upper Flats
- Horse Cove Campground
Fishing spots
- Santeetlah Lake
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Citico Creek
- Indian Boundary Lake
Paddle runs
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
Track Cheoah Valley 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 Cheoah Valley Dam
Where does the data for Cheoah Valley 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 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 Cheoah Valley Dam.