Ocoee No. 3 Dam dam
Ocoee No. 3 Dam
The Ocoee No. 3 Dam, also known as Ocoee No.3 Lake, is a captivating structure located in Polk, Tennessee, along the Ocoee River. Owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this concrete gravity dam stands tall at 83 feet, with a structural height of 110 feet. Completed in 1942, it serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction while also contributing to hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities in the area.
With a maximum storage capacity of 7,932 acre-feet and a normal storage of 3,966 acre-feet, the Ocoee No. 3 Dam covers a surface area of 600 acres and has a drainage area of 492 square miles. The dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 260 feet and Tainter outlet gates for efficient water release. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is ranked as very high, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures in place by the TVA.
Overall, the Ocoee No. 3 Dam is not only a key infrastructure for flood control and water resource management but also plays a significant role in providing renewable energy and recreational opportunities for the surrounding community. As a symbol of resilience and innovation, this concrete marvel stands as a testament to the TVA's commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety in the face of changing climate 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 Ocoee No. 3 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 259 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Crandall | 8 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 271 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 32 cfs | → |
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ocoee No. 3 Dam.
Boat launches
- Toccoa Avenue 104, Mccaysville
- Powerhouse Road 820-832, Reliance
- Apalachia Powerhouse Launch
- Ellis Creek Road 155, Reliance
- Towee Creek Launch
- Sugar Loaf Drive Polk County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Nf Boundary To Taylor's Creek In Cherokee Nf (Tn)
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
Track Ocoee No. 3 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 Ocoee No. 3 Dam
Where does the data for Ocoee No. 3 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 Ocoee No. 3 Dam.