TVA Initiates Safety Study to Fortify Chatuge Dam for Future Generations

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has embarked on a proactive mission to ensure that Chatuge Dam, a cornerstone of the region since its completion in 1942, remains a safe and reliable asset for the next 80 years and beyond. A newly launched safety study, detailed in a recent TVA press release, targets potential risks tied to the dam’s spillway, aiming to safeguard the Chatuge community and downstream areas such as Hayesville and Murphy, North Carolina, and Hiawassee, Georgia.

TVA asserts that the safety of the communities it serves is its utmost priority. “While the dam is safe, TVA always errs on the side of caution,” the release states, emphasizing a commitment to reducing long-term operational risks. The dam and its reservoir are vital for flood control, recreation, water supply, and clean power generation, underscoring the need to maintain its integrity for the region’s well-being.

The study zeroes in on the spillway, where years of wear have deteriorated the concrete slab joints and underdrain system. TVA warns that extended use during extreme rainfall or flooding could damage the concrete chute. While there’s a “relatively high likelihood” of such damage under those conditions, the chance of a spillway failure triggering an uncontrolled water release is “very low.” Should a failure occur, TVA estimates several dozen lives could be at risk, though this threat is far less severe than a dam failure. The agency stresses that both the dam and spillway remain safe for normal operations, but it is taking preemptive steps to mitigate future risks.

This initiative reflects evolving dam safety standards, spurred by industry shifts over the past decade. TVA points to a growing emphasis on downstream consequences in safety evaluations, a practice it has adopted to align with modern standards. The 2018 Oroville Dam spillway incident in California further influenced this effort, revealing a failure mechanism more dangerous than previously understood. TVA identified a similar vulnerability at Chatuge and is acting proactively to address it.

Set to conclude in 2026, the study will determine the best modifications to enhance spillway safety. In the meantime, TVA has ramped up monitoring, strengthened ties with the Clay County Emergency Management Agency, and positioned emergency resources near the site. While no immediate plans exist to alter the reservoir’s seasonal levels, lowering it could become an option if safety demands it or during future remediation, a common practice for major dam projects.

Unlike Blue Ridge Dam, which has an earthquake warning system due to seismic risks, Chatuge faces slower-developing flood threats. TVA relies on detailed emergency plans rather than a public alert system, collaborating with local agencies to manage these risks effectively.

The spillway is the primary focus, but TVA may also enhance the embankment dam if remediation proceeds. The agency plans to engage the public, seeking input as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, to ensure community voices shape the process. Costs and potential rate impacts remain speculative until the study’s completion, though TVA assures that such projects are part of routine budgeting and won’t affect electric rates.

Chatuge Dam’s significance—supporting recreation, tourism, and low-cost power—drives TVA’s commitment. “We understand the economic, environmental, and personal value of the dam and its reservoir to those in the nearby community as well as those downstream,” the release notes, pledging to secure its benefits for future generations through adaptive design principles. While concurrent work with Blue Ridge Dam is possible, and Nottely Dam modifications could be considered later, Chatuge remains the current priority as TVA navigates this critical safety effort.