Watauga Dam, Tennessee, USA

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Quick Facts About Watauga Dam

Location: Carter, Tennessee
Coordinates: 36.32298, -82.1226
River: Watauga River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Rockfill Earth
Commissioned: 1948
Dam Height: 332 ft (101 m)
Dam Length: 900 ft (274 m)
Dam Capacity: 751,557 acre-ft (927,031 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Watauga Dam Map

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Watauga Dam Information

Watauga Dam is a rockfill earth dam located about 10 miles from Elizabethton, Carter, Tennessee.

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

The dam was designed by TVA and commissioned in 1948 and is currently owned by TVA.

Watauga Dam Structure

The Watauga Dam is approximately 900 feet (274 m) long, 332 feet (101 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,562,670 cubic yards (2,723,857 cubic metres).

Watauga Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 569,121 acre-ft (701,999 Ml) and maximum capacity of 751,557 acre-ft (927,031 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 6,440 acres (2,606 ha) and the total catchment area is 468 square miles (1,212 square kilometres).

Watauga Dam Spillway

The dam has a 385 feet (117 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 54000 cubic feet per second (1529 cubic metres per second).

Watauga Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Watauga Dam
Carter, Tennessee
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 332 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 900 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 751,557 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 468 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Watauga Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Watauga Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Watauga Dam

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Watauga Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Watauga Dam?

Watauga Dam is in Tennessee.

In which county is the Watauga Dam?

Watauga Dam is in Carter County.

How high is the Watauga Dam?

Watauga Dam is 332 feet high.

How long is the Watauga Dam?

Watauga Dam is 900 feet long.

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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