Blue Ridge Dam (Lake Blue Ridge)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Blue Ridge
Other Name: LAKE TOCCOA
NID ID: GA11101
Longitude: -84.28
Latitude: 34.881
County: FANNIN
River: TOCCOA RIVER
State: GA
Nearest City: Copperhill
Distance: 15.00 miles
Owner Name: TVA
Owner Type: Federal
Dam Designer: TN ELECTRIC POWER
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Core (Position)
Earth (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RSK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1930
Year Modified/Mod Type: 1995
Dam Length: 985 feet
Dam Height: 172 feet
Structural Height: 183 feet
Hydraulic Height: 175 feet
Maximum Discharge: 100000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 228045 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 182436 acre-feet
Surface Area: 3220 acres
Drainage Area: 232 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2011-07-25
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 176 feet
Outlet Gates: T
Federal Funding Agency: LAKE TOCCOA
Federal Regulatory Agency: Tennessee Valley Authority
Federal Inspection Agency: Tennessee Valley Authority
Federal Operating Agency: Tennessee Valley Authority
Federal Owner (Agency): Tennessee Valley Authority
Source Agency: Tennessee Valley Authority

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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