Cheoah - SafeWaters by Brookfield Renewable NA
Back to Cheoah
Facilities List Add to favorites

Cheoah

Near Robbinsville, NC

Updated: Tue, May 12, 10:45:43 pm (EDT)

1943.10 cfs as of 2026-05-12 10:45:00 PM (EDT)

Discharge into Little Tennessee River

-3.10 ft as of 2026-05-12 10:44:28 PM (EDT)

Feet Below Full Pool

1273.70 Ft as of 2026-05-12 10:46:47 PM (EDT)
Facility Contact
Email:
FACILITY & SAFETY INFORMATION

Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower is proud to support recreation and environmental activities at its facilities. Opportunities exist for camping, fishing, canoeing and boating. More than 30 recreation areas are operated and maintained solely and/or in cooperation with state and federal agency partners.

The Cheoah facility is located in Graham and Swain counties, North Carolina, on the Little Tennessee River. Cheoah was the first of the Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower facilities constructed, and was completed in 1919. The Cheoah facility consists of a dam and powerhouse. Cheoah Dam impounds Cheoah Reservoir.

Cheoah, like Calderwood and Chilhowee, is operated in a run-of-river mode, following the daily cycle, peaking operations of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Fontana Dam located upstream of Cheoah.

Downstream Canoe Portage Closed

Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower has temporarily closed the downstream canoe portage at Cheoah Dam due to unsafe trail conditions. The portage is located between Cheoah Dam and Magazine Branch.

The closure is in place to protect public safety while the trail is evaluated and next steps are determined. Anglers and paddlers will need to plan their activities accordingly.

Short-term Schedule

DateTimeGenerators Running
Wednesday, May 13, 202600:00 to 7:00 amNone
Wednesday, May 13, 20267:00 to 12:00 pmNone
Wednesday, May 13, 202612:00 to 8:00 pm2 or more
Wednesday, May 13, 20268:00 to 12:00 am2 or more
For information on water being released in the Cheoah River, please visit the Santeetlah page.
More Information
blue-box-image
Please note!

Water release schedules often change without notice due to unanticipated changes in weather conditions and power system requirements. Use caution near dams. A large amount of water may be discharged without warning at any time. Your safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings.

Disclaimer: Water release schedules and flow levels posted by Brookfield Renewable as directed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Brookfield Renewable 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 Brookfield Renewable 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. Brookfield Renewable 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 Brookfield Renewable, 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.

© 2026 Brookfield Renewable N.A.

Reset Password

If you forgot your password or if you’re logging in for the first time our update on May 5th, enter your email address we will send you instructions to reset your password.

Reset Password

If you forgot your password, Please go through the reset procedure.