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Santeetlah
| USGS Data for Santeetlah |
| Lake Elevation (ft) | 1938.91 |
| Discharge Into Cheoah River (cfs) | 52 |
| Feet Below Pool | 1.99 |
* As of January 6, 2009 at 4:08:00 AM |
Santeetlah Dam is located in Graham County, North Carolina on the Cheoah River at about river mile 9. The Santeetlah Development was completed in 1928. The Santeetlah development consists of a dam, pipeline/tunnel, and powerhouse. Santeetlah Dam impounds Santeetlah Reservoir that has a normal full pool area of approximately 2,881 acres and a drainage area of 176 square miles. The normal full pool elevation of Santeetlah Reservoir is 1940.9 feet (USGS).
The Santeetlah powerhouse is located on the left bank of the Little Tennessee River (Cheoah Reservoir) about five miles upstream of Cheoah Dam. The powerhouse contains two vertical Francis turbines connected to generators. The current licensed capacity of the two units is 47.0 MW and the total station hydraulic capacity is 950 cfs. Water is withdrawn from Santeetlah Reservoir through an intake in the Santeetlah Dam and is passed through a 5-mile tunnel and pipeline to the powerhouse located on the Little Tennessee River. The centerline of the Santeetlah intake is located at a depth of approximately 87 feet below the normal full pool elevation of the reservoir.
The Santeetlah Development is operated as a storage impoundment in accordance with an annual operating curve, which establishes target seasonal reservoir levels. The current operating curve was adopted in 2004 as part of the Tapoco Project Relicensing Settlement Agreement. Under the current operating guide, Santeetlah Reservoir is operated to maintain high recreational elevations during the summer months, followed by fall drawdown to allow for collection of rainfall and runoff during the late fall, winter, and early spring. The current operating curve was developed to also provide protection and enhancement for a variety of other resources and uses, including aquatic species and habitat, water quality, reservoir wetlands, archaeological sites, and scenic appearance throughout the year. During the period April 1 to November 1, the maximum drawdown at Santeetlah Reservoir is 4-5 feet. The reservoir is filled during the month of March at such a rate that by April 1 the maximum drawdown is 5 feet. During the period December 1 to March 1, the maximum drawdown is 10 feet. During the month of November, the reservoir is drawn down at such a rate that by December 1 the maximum drawdown is 10 feet.
Prior to the Relicensing Settlement Agreement, there were no regular flow releases from Santeetlah Dam into the Cheoah River. Water from Santeetlah Reservoir was diverted to the powerhouse located on the Little Tennessee River upstream of Cheoah Dam. The drainage area for the Cheoah River below Santeetlah Dam was made up of leakage from the dam, tributary inflow and occasional spills from the dam. Beginning September 1, 2005 as part of the Relicensing Settlement Agreement, Tapoco began releasing flows from Santeetlah Dam into the Cheoah River. These flows are based on average daily inflow from the preceding three months. The intent of these flows is the protection, enhancement, and restoration of Cheoah River aquatic and riparian associated biological communities. High flow releases in 2006 and 2007 are scheduled to occur on the dates listed below:
Cheoah River High Flow Releases, 2008
February 16 and 17
March 15, 16, and 17
April 5, 6, and 7
April 19 and 20
May 3 and 4
May 10 and 11
May 17 and 18
August 17
October 4
November 1
Cheoah River High Flow Releases, 2009
February 21 and 22
March 14, 15, and 16
April 4 and 5
April 18 and 19
April 25 and 26
May 9 and 10
May 16 and 17
May 30 and 31
June 20 and 21
November 7
Disclaimer: Water release schedules and flow levels posted by Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) as directed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice. APGI makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied concerning the accuracy, completeness and reliability or suitability of the data and/or information contained herein for any particular purpose. While APGI strives to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the data and/or information contained on the website is complete, accurate, reliable and suitable, errors may occur or information may be out dated. APGI at any time may revise or change the data and/or information posted without any obligation to notify past, current or prospective users.
In no event will APGI, its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, shareholders, employees or agents be liable for any damages whatsoever in contract, tort or otherwise, including but not limited to, special, direct, indirect, general, consequential, incidental or punitive damages arising out of the use of the data and/or information posted. By accessing this website, the user acknowledges and agrees that any employment of the data and/or information posted is solely assumed and at the user’s own risk.
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