Chatuge Dam
Chatuge Dam is an earth dam located in Clay County, North Carolina, built in 1942. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Chatuge Dam
The primary purpose of Chatuge Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Tva (federal). It impounds the Hiwassee River near Hayesville.
The dam stands 150 feet tall and stretches 2,850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6,700 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 285,552 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 189 square miles. Completed in 1942, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/09/2025.
At 150 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The North Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Clay |
| Nearest City | Hayesville |
| River/Stream | Hiwassee River |
| Coordinates | 35.01771, -83.79130 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 150 ft |
| Dam Height | 144 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 285,552 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 285,552 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 226,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6,700 acres |
| Drainage Area | 189 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 88,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | TVA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 07/09/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00391 |
| Federal ID | NC00391 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |