Construction of Chatuge Dam North Georgia began in 1941 and was completed in 1942. Chatuge was originally built to store water to help prevent flooding downstream. A single hydropower generating unit was added in 1954.

The level of water in Chatuge Reservoir varies about 9 feet during the course of a normal year. Chatuge Dam is 144 feet high and stretches 2,850 feet across the Hiwassee River. Chatuge has a flood-storage capacity of 62,619 acre-feet.

The generating capacity of Chatuge Dam is 10,000 kilowatts of electricity. Chatuge is operated for many purposes, including flood control, power generation, and augmentation of water flows for navigation downstream.

Chatuge Reservoir, located on the Hiwassee River in western North Carolina, is 13 miles long and extends southeast from the dam into north Georgia. The reservoir is named after a nearby Cherokee settlement.

Sport fishing is popular at Chatuge, both in the reservoir and in the Hiwassee River below the dam. Concrete weirs have been installed below the dam to provide a steady flow of water and to increase oxygen levels for fish and other aquatic animals. Wade fishing for trout is popular here since fish are attracted to the weirs, where food is abundant.

Water release schedules are updated periodically throughout the day. Next-day release schedules are usually available by 6 p.m. of the current day. Observed water levels also are updated periodically throughout the day. Predicted water levels are updated at least once a day, by 1 p.m. Eastern time, and may be updated more frequently when conditions warrant.

Facts About Lake Chatuge: 'All of these numbers refer to feet above sea level.'

1) Flood Level- 1927

2) Summer Level- 1925

3) March 15,2008- 1920.16

The T.V.A. states that the average inflow of water is about 300 cubic feet per second and the average out flow released is 100 cubic feet per second ( this will increase the lake lever about one tenth of a foot per day.) They will usually fluctuate the lake level 9 feet per year. Follow this link for actual predictions and levels.