Fort Loudoun Dam dam
Fort Loudoun Dam
Fort Loudoun Dam, located in Loudon, Tennessee, along the Tennessee River, is a marvel of engineering designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Completed in 1943, this concrete dam stands at a height of 125 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 475,920 acre-feet and a surface area of 14,000 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Fort Loudoun Dam features a controlled spillway, one lock for navigation, and Tainter radial gates for water control. The dam underwent structural modifications in 2015 and 2018 to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness. With a high hazard potential due to its location and the large volume of water it holds back, the dam is closely monitored by the TVA for any signs of deterioration or risk. Emergency action plans are in place to address any unforeseen events, and regular inspections are conducted to assess the dam's condition and maintenance needs.
Overall, Fort Loudoun Dam is a vital infrastructure for the Tennessee Valley, providing essential flood protection, renewable energy, and recreational opportunities. Its strategic location, impressive size, and multi-purpose design make it a key asset for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Fort Loudoun Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 31 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 133 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 120 cfs | → |
| Emory River At Oakdale | 59 cfs | → |
| Bullrun Creek Near Halls Crossroads | 15 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fort Loudoun Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Haven Road 999, Farragut
- Melton Hill Dam Boat Ramp
- T V A Access Blount County
- South Northshore Drive 10920-11098, Knoxville
- Connatser Drive 999, Loudon County
- Morganton Cemetery Road Loudon County
Campgrounds
- Yarberry Peninsula
- Poland Creek
- Lotterdale Cove
- Toqua Beach - Tellico Lake
- Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort
- Notchy Creek - Tellico Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
Track Fort Loudoun 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 Fort Loudoun Dam
Where does the data for Fort Loudoun 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 Fort Loudoun Dam.