Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 dam
Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3, also known as Cherokee Lake, is a Federal-owned structure located in Jefferson, Tennessee, along the Holston River. Designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and completed in 1941, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet with a total structural height of 30 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, although it also serves functions such as hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply.
With a length of 630 feet and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 is an integral part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's infrastructure for managing water resources in the region. It has undergone modifications in 2015 for seismic and structural improvements, reflecting a commitment to maintaining its safety and integrity. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction.
As a key component of the Tennessee Valley Authority's flood risk reduction strategy, Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 plays a crucial role in protecting communities along the Holston River from potential flooding events. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, this earth dam stands as a testament to the region's commitment to water resource management and climate resilience. Enthusiasts and experts in water resources and climate will find Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 to be a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety.
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 Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nolichucky River Near Lowland | 635 cfs | → |
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 149 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Above Tazewell | 473 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Newport | 651 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River At Newport | 259 cfs | → |
| Bullrun Creek Near Halls Crossroads | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.
Boat launches
- Renfro Road 2637, Jefferson City
- Tva Dam Road, Jefferson City
- Grainger County Park Boat Launch
- Panther Creek Road 5820-6208, Morristown
- Nance Ferry Road Grainger County
- Kidwell Ridge Road 1464-1510, Morristown
Campgrounds
- Cherokee Dam
- May Springs
- Panther Creek State Park
- Dandridge Municipal Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Douglas Dam Headwater
- Douglas Dam Tailwater
Fishing spots
Track Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Where does the data for Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Cherokee Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.