1942 14mwNet TVA Chatuge Dam

(Satellite)

The Chatuge Dam was finished in 1942 and then hydropower was added in 1954 for 14mwNet. The dam is 150' high and is 3,336' long. In a year with normal rainfall, the water level varies about 10' between summer and winter pools. The flood-storage capacity is 62,600 acre-feet. [TVA] One normally doesn't see a powerhouse for an earthen dam.

TVA posted, Jun 2022
The Tennessee River Valley received 200% of normal rainfall in the last seven days, and some areas got over 10 inches! The influx of rain caused lake levels at tributary dams to rise above summer pool as we stored the water to reduce downstream flood impacts. As a result, we are releasing high volumes of water from Douglas, Fontana, Chatuge, Apalachia dams, and many of the dams on the main Tennessee River.  
If you plan to be boating, be alert for floating debris, strong currents, and swift water. Always wear a life jacket and be safe!

Monte Seymour commented on TVA's photo
Back in Feb

I wonder what the normal hydropower flow is. I need to remember to look at these numbers a few days from now.

TVA-levels

"Sport fishing is popular at Chatuge, both in the reservoir and in the Hiwassee River below the dam. A concrete weir has been installed below the dam to provide a steady flow of water in the riverbed and to increase oxygen levels for fish and other aquatic animals. Wade fishing for trout is popular here since fish are attracted to the weir, where food is abundant." [TVA] Parking lots for fisherman also makes things convenient for dam fans.

Satellite

This flow would add a lot of oxygen to the water.

TVA Web Team, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

NC, p1

citizen-times [paycount]
City County's Chatuge Dam, built in 1942 by the TVA, is seen here in 1958, after a power plant was added in 1952. Courtesy Photo
The dam was built with provision for the power unit.

destimap

Screenshot, note the May 31, 2018 date

NC, p29

Two of the photos on JanAndPat. I highly recommend this page because it is of the dam, not the lake.

1
The "powerhouse". Chatuge's lone generator is good for about 6 or 7 Megawatts (our pamphlet said 10, but we've seen some other data that suggests that its not that much). It was not in operation at this time, and the lake level appeared to be down.

2
A closer view of the pool below the turbine. Notice the "mini-dam" just under water here...maybe to keep a minimum level at the turbine? Dunno...

Screenshot, Easter weekend of 2019