Calderwood Dam (Calderwood Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Calderwood
NID ID: TN00906
Longitude: -83.97945
Latitude: 35.49222
County: BLOUNT
River: LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER
State: TN
Nearest City: CALDERWOOD
Distance: 1.00 miles
Owner Name: ALCOA POWER GENERATING INC., TAPOCO DIVISION
Owner Type: Private
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Arch
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1930
Dam Length: 916 feet
Dam Height: 214 feet
Structural Height: 230 feet
Hydraulic Height: 229.4 feet
Maximum Discharge: 375000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 43500 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 41100 acre-feet
Surface Area: 570 acres
Drainage Area: 1856 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-03-07
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: NONE
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 576 feet
Outlet Gates: O1;L24;
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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