Cheoah is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located in Tapoco, North Carolina.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1919, this gravity dam stands at a height of 214 feet and has a hydraulic height of 236 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 42,000 acre-feet. The dam, designed in a multi-arch core type with a rock foundation, spans 750 feet across the Little Tennessee River and has a spillway width of 475 feet.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating very high risk, Cheoah is closely monitored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2020, and while the condition assessment is not available, inspections are conducted annually. The dam features 19 Tainter (radial) outlet gates and a maximum discharge capacity of 225,200 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial part of the region's water resource management and energy production infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cheoah represents a fascinating blend of engineering innovation and environmental impact in the context of hydroelectric power generation.
Year Completed |
1919 |
Dam Length |
750 |
Dam Height |
214 |
River Or Stream |
Little Tennessee |
Primary Dam Type |
Gravity |
Surface Area |
1767 |
Hydraulic Height |
236 |
Drainage Area |
1608 |
Nid Storage |
42000 |
Structural Height |
229 |
Outlet Gates |
Tainter (radial) - 19 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
236 |
Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco
|
149cfs |
Little River Above Townsend
|
214cfs |
Tellico River At Tellico Plains
|
191cfs |
Valley River At Tomotla
|
272cfs |
Little River Near Maryville
|
316cfs |
Little Tennessee River At Needmore
|
663cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Bear Creek Hunt Camp
|
||
95 Dalton Branch
|
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93 Twentymile Creek
|
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Horse Cove Campground
|
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Horse Cove
|
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13 Sheep Pen Gap
|