Chickamauga Dam dam
Chickamauga Dam
Chickamauga Dam, located on the Tennessee River in Hamilton County, Tennessee, is a captivating feat of engineering designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and completed in 1940. Standing at a height of 129 feet and with a maximum storage capacity of 737,300 acre-feet, this concrete dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply. Its impressive spillway, controlled by vertical lift gates, ensures the safe release of excess water during periods of high discharge.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating a very high level of risk (1), Chickamauga Dam is closely monitored and maintained by the TVA to ensure its structural integrity and continued functionality. The dam's location in the scenic Chickamauga Lake area offers visitors recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and camping, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. Additionally, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Tennessee River and mitigating flood risks for the surrounding communities.
As a federal structure owned, funded, and operated by the TVA, Chickamauga Dam exemplifies the collaboration between government agencies in managing water resources and climate-related challenges. Its strategic placement and design contribute to the overall resilience of the region's water infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving 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 Chickamauga Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Chickamauga Creek Near Chickamauga | 132 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Cr At Mile Straight | 1 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Creek Near Montlake | 0 cfs | → |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 144 cfs | → |
| Lookout Creek Near New England | 61 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Dalton | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chickamauga Dam.
Boat launches
- Greenway Farms Chattanooga
- South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Chattanooga
- Turkey Foot Road, Chattanooga
- Vincent Road 5163-5513, Chattanooga
- Market Street Chattanooga
- Tennessee Riverwalk Chattanooga
Campgrounds
- Chester Frost Park
- Harrison Bay State Park
- Skull Island - Chickamauga Lake
- Possum Creek Rv - Chickamauga Lake
- Marion County Park
- Sale Creek - Chickamauga Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
- Nf Boundary To Taylor's Creek In Cherokee Nf (Tn)
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
Track Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga Dam
Where does the data for Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga Dam.