Chatuge Dam dam
Chatuge Dam
Chatuge Dam, also known as Chatuge Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Hayesville, North Carolina, along the Hiwassee River. Built in 1942 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the dam stands at a height of 144 feet and has a hydraulic height of 132 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction. With a normal storage capacity of 226,600 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 285,552 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 6,700 acres and has a drainage area of 189 square miles.
The dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 325 feet and features vertical lift outlet gates for water release. Despite a high hazard potential, the condition assessment of Chatuge Dam is not available, indicating a need for further inspection. The dam area offers recreational opportunities and serves as a water supply source, in addition to its flood risk reduction and hydroelectric functions. Managed by the TVA, Chatuge Dam stands as a vital structure in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Overall, Chatuge Dam plays a crucial role in the Tennessee Valley Authority's operations, with a focus on flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. Its strategic location and design make it a key contributor to water resource management in the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam continues to be monitored and inspected regularly to ensure public safety and the efficient functioning of its multiple purposes. As a significant landmark along the Hiwassee River, Chatuge Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation strategies in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 99 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 89 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 63 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 63 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 59 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chatuge Dam.
Boat launches
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
- Doucette Circle 2647, 30512
- Hiwassee Street Murphy
- Payne Street Murphy
Campgrounds
- Gibson Cove Campground
- Clay County Recreation Campground
- Gibson Cove - Chatuge Reservoir
- Clay Co Park
- Jackrabbit Mountain
- Jackrabbit Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Lake Burton
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Seed Lake
- Santeetlah Lake
- Dockery Lake
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
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
Track Chatuge 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 Chatuge Dam
Where does the data for Chatuge 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 Chatuge Dam.