Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 dam
Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1
Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1, also known as Chatuge Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Hayesville, North Carolina. Built in 1942 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this earth dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Hiwassee River. With a dam height of 12 feet and a structural height of 19 feet, the Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam's design by TVA includes stone core types and soil foundations, contributing to its stability and effectiveness in flood control. While it does not have a spillway, the dam has a high hazard potential and is inspected regularly by TVA. The area around Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 offers recreational opportunities and serves as a water supply source for the local community. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find this structure fascinating for its historical significance and impact on the surrounding environment.
Overall, Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 stands as a testament to the innovative engineering efforts of TVA in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in North Carolina. Its presence on the Hiwassee River contributes to the region's hydroelectric power generation, recreation possibilities, and water supply security. With a focus on safety and risk management, this dam plays a vital role in preserving the natural landscape and supporting sustainable water management practices in the area.
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 - Saddle Dam No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 96 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 60 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 62 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 57 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1.
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 - Chatuge Reservoir
- Clay County Recreation Campground
- Gibson Cove Campground
- 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
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
Track Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 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 - Saddle Dam No. 1
Where does the data for Chatuge Dam - Saddle Dam No. 1 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 - Saddle Dam No. 1.