Fontana Dam

Fontana Dam Quick Facts

Location: Graham, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35.452599, -83.804773
River: Little Tennessee River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Concrete Gravity
Commissioned: 1944
Dam Height: 455 ft (139 m)
Dam Length: 2,365 ft (721 m)
Dam Capacity: 1,552,689 acre-ft (1,915,211 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Fontana Dam Map

Fontana Dam Information

Fontana Dam is a concrete gravity dam located about 10 miles from Tapoco, Graham, North Carolina.

The dam, which is on the Little Tennessee River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Navigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric and Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by TVA and commissioned in 1944 and is currently owned by TVA.

Fontana Dam Structure

The Fontana Dam is approximately 2,365 feet (721 m) long, 455 feet (139 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,563,600 cubic yards (2,724,568 cubic metres).

Fontana Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 1,370,253 acre-ft (1,690,180 Ml) and maximum capacity of 1,552,689 acre-ft (1,915,211 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 10,290 acres (4,164 ha) and the total catchment area is 1,571 square miles (4,069 square kilometres).

Fontana Dam Spillway

The dam has a 140 feet (43 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 189000 cubic feet per second (5352 cubic metres per second).

Fontana Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Fontana Dam
Graham, North Carolina
Height (ft)
455
Length (Ft)
2,365
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
1,552,689
Drainage Area (sq miles)
1,571
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Fontana Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Fontana Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Fontana Dam

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Fontana Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Fontana Dam?

Fontana Dam is in North Carolina.

In which county is the Fontana Dam?

Fontana Dam is in Graham County.

How high is the Fontana Dam?

Fontana Dam is 455 feet high.

How long is the Fontana Dam?

Fontana Dam is 2,365 feet long.

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More Dams in Graham County:

Cheoah Dam
Fontana Dam
Santeetlah Dam
Stockton Wash Retarding Dam

More Dams in North Carolina:

Apalachia Dam
B. Everett Jordan Dam
Bear Creek Dam
Blewett Falls Dam
Catawba Dam
Cedar Cliff Dam
Chatuge Dam
Cheoah Dam
Cowans Ford Dam
Falls Lake Dam
Fontana Dam
Gaston Dam
High Rock Dam
Hiwassee Dam
Lookout Shoals Dam
Mountain Island Dam
Nantahala Dam
Oxford Dam
Rhodhiss Dam
Roanoke Rapids Dam
Santeetlah Dam
Shearon Harris Auxiliary Reservoir Dam
Thorpe Dam
Tillery Dam
Tuckertown Dam
Walters Dam
Yadkin Narrows Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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