Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir dam
Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir
Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir, located in Calderwood, Tennessee, is a private hydroelectric structure built in 1930 with a primary purpose of generating hydropower. This gravity dam stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches 390 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 43,500 acre-feet. Situated on the Little Tennessee River, this structure plays a crucial role in harnessing the natural flow of water to produce sustainable energy while managing flood control.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir boasts a low hazard potential and undergoes regular inspections every three years. With a moderate risk assessment rating, this structure operates with efficiency and safety in mind. Despite its remote location in Blount County, the weir serves as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate-conscious infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sustainable energy practices in safeguarding our environment for future generations.
As a key player in the hydroelectric sector, Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir exemplifies the innovative engineering solutions that can be implemented to harness the power of water resources while mitigating environmental risks. Its controlled spillway and uncontrolled spillway type demonstrate a balance of functionality and safety measures, ensuring the structure's effective operation in various conditions. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Calderwood Weir stands as a symbol of sustainability and responsible water management practices in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 130 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 83 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 88 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 115 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 112 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir .
Boat launches
- Calderwood Highway Blount County
- Slickrock Creek Trail Monroe County
- Calderwood Highway 6676, Blount County
- Citico Boat Ramp
- Meadow Branch Road Graham County
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1920, Robbinsville
Campgrounds
- Bear Creek Hunt Camp
- 95 Dalton Branch
- 14 Flint Gap
- 13 Sheep Pen Gap
- 93 Twentymile Creek
- Double Camp/Citgo Creek
Fishing spots
- Citico Creek
- Indian Boundary Lake
- Santeetlah Lake
- Birchfield Branch
- Augerhole Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
Track Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir 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 Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir
Where does the data for Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir 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 Low 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 Calderwood Plunge Pool Weir .