Fontana Dam dam
Fontana Dam
Fontana Dam, located in North Carolina along the Little Tennessee River, is a remarkable feat of engineering and a key feature of the Tennessee Valley Authority's flood risk reduction efforts. Completed in 1944, this concrete gravity dam stands at an impressive height of 455 feet, with a structural height of 480 feet and a length of 2365 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, but it also serves as a hydroelectric power source, aids in navigation, supports recreation, and provides water supply.
The dam's reservoir, Fontana Lake, has a normal storage capacity of 1,370,253 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 1,552,689 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 10,290 acres. With a drainage area of 1571 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 189,000 cubic feet per second, Fontana Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and ensuring flood control in the region. Over the years, it has undergone several modifications and inspections to enhance its structural integrity and operational efficiency, reflecting the commitment to maintaining a high level of safety and performance.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Fontana Dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness efforts help mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. The dam's controlled spillway, Tainter radial outlet gates, and regular inspections contribute to its overall resilience and ability to withstand various challenges. As a significant landmark in water resource management and climate resilience, Fontana Dam continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the environment and supporting sustainable development in the region.
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 Fontana Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 141 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 122 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 667 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 166 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fontana Dam.
Boat launches
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Meadow Branch Road Graham County
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1986, Graham County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Santeetlah Lake
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Citico Creek
- Indian Boundary Lake
Paddle runs
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
Track Fontana 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 Fontana Dam
Where does the data for Fontana 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 Fontana Dam.