Bryson dam
Bryson
Bryson is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Ela, North Carolina, on the Oconaluftee River. Built in 1925, this multi-arch dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a hydraulic height of 33 feet, with a structural height of 35 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 235 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 118,000 cubic feet per second, Bryson plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Operated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bryson's controlled spillway and two Tainter radial gates ensure efficient water discharge and flood control. Despite its high hazard potential and very high risk assessment rating, Bryson remains a vital piece of infrastructure for the local community. With no state regulation or enforcement, the dam's inspection frequency is set at once per year, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bryson represents both the challenges and opportunities associated with hydroelectric power generation. As a privately-owned dam with a rich history dating back almost a century, Bryson's role in shaping the local landscape and providing essential water storage and discharge services cannot be understated. With its unique design and operational features, Bryson stands as a testament to the innovative engineering solutions that have been developed to harness the power of rivers for sustainable energy production.
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 Bryson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 215 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 667 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 49 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bryson .
Boat launches
- Church Street Jackson County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
Campgrounds
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Deep Creek Group Camp
- Deep Creek - Great Smoky Mountains
- 51
- #51 George's Branch
Fishing spots
- Birchfield Branch
- Augerhole Branch
- Bear Creek Lake
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
More reservoirs
Track Bryson 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 Bryson
Where does the data for Bryson 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 Bryson .