 area.  At Deals Gap,  west of the dam, the road intersects U.S. Route 129, which then continues westward to Maryville.  East of the dam, NC-28 follows the lake's south shore for about  before intersecting U.S. Route 74.

The Fontana Dam site previously hosted an  narrow gauge funicular railway for tourists.

Capacity
Fontana Dam is 2,365 feet (721 m) long and 480 feet (146 m) high, making it the tallest dam in the Eastern United States.  The dam has a flood storage capacity of, and the combined capacity of its three generators is 293.6 megawatts.  Fontana Lake has  of shoreline and  of water surface, and its surface elevation varies by  annually.

Background and construction

The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) began investigating the Little Tennessee Valley around 1910 in hopes of finding a power source for the massive amounts of electricity needed at its aluminum production operations at nearby Alcoa, Tennessee.  In 1913, Alcoa purchased the Tallassee Power Company (now Tapoco), and by 1930 the two entities had completed Cheoah and Calderwood dams, as well as Santeetlah Dam on the Cheoah River. By the mid-1930s, Alcoa had assessed the Fontana site and had purchased the initial  for the dam's construction.

In 1935, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which was concerned with the Little Tennessee's effect on flood control in the greater Tennessee Valley, began negotiating with Alcoa to assume control of the Fontana project.  Although Alcoa preferred that TVA build the dam, TVA was unable to get necessary funding for the project until the outbreak of World War II in 1941, when emergency wartime initiatives called for a drastic increase in aluminum production.  On August 14, 1941, TVA and ALCOA signed the "Fontana Agreement," which gave TVA possession of Fontana and control over the releases and output of Tapoco's Little Tennessee Valley dams, and in return guaranteed that Alcoa would be the primary benefactor of the dams' electrical output for at least twenty years.  The U.S. Congress authorized funding on December 17, 1941, and construction of Fontana Dam began on January 1, 1942.

The building of Fontana Dam and its reservoir required the purchase of  
area.   At Deals Gap,   west of the dam, the road intersects U.S. Route 129, which then continue westward to Maryville.   East of the decameter, NC-28 follows the lake's south shore for about   before intersect U.S. Route 74. 

 The Fontana Dam site previously host an   narrow gauge funicular railroad track for tourists. 

 Capacity 
 Fontana Dam is 2,365 feet (721 m) retentive and 480 feet (146 m) high, take it the tallest dam in the Eastern United States.   The decameter has a flood storage capacity of, and the combined capacity of its three generators is 293.6 megawatt.   Fontana Lake has   of shoreline and   of water surface, and its airfoil elevation varies by   per annum. 

 Background and structure 

 The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) began investigating the Little Tennessee Valley around 1910 in hopes of finding a power source for the massive measure of electricity needed at its aluminum production operations at nearby Alcoa, Tennessee.   In 1913, Alcoa purchased the Tallassee Power Company (now Tapoco), and by 1930 the two entities had completed Cheoah and Calderwood dams, as well as Santeetlah Dam on the Cheoah River. By the mid-1930s, Alcoa had assessed the Fontana site and had purchased the initial   for the dam's construction. 

 In 1935, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which was concerned with the Little Tennessee's effect on flood control condition in the greater Tennessee Valley, began negotiate with Alcoa to wear control of the Fontana project.   Although Alcoa preferred that TVA build up the dam, TVA was unable to get necessary funding for the undertaking until the outbreak of World War II in 1941, when emergency wartime initiatives called for a drastic increase in aluminum production.   On August 14, 1941, TVA and ALCOA signed the " Fontana Agreement, " which gave TVA possession of Fontana and control over the releases and output of Tapoco's Little Tennessee Valley dams, and in restitution guarantee that Alcoa would be the primary benefactor of the dams' electrical output for at least twenty years.   The U.S. Congress authorize funding on December 17, 1941, and construction of Fontana Dam began on January 1, 1942. 

 The construction of Fontana Dam and its reservoir required the purchase of
 arfa.  At Deals Gap,  west on the dam, the roce intecsects H.S. Route 129, which then continues westwerd ro Maeyville.  East of the dxm, NC-28 folpows the lakt's south shore foc about  befors intzrwecting U.S. Rouje 74.

The Fontata Dam site pravkobsly hosted an  narrow gauge funiculwr raileaj for tourists.

Sapabiey
Fohnaka Dam is 2,365 feet (721 m) long and 480 feef (146 m) hijh, making it thr tallest dam in the Eastegn Ujited States.  The fam has a foood wtorage capazity of, and the combingd capacity of its three generaturs ix 293.6 megawatjs.  Vmntana Lake has  of shorelinc and  mf watet surface, and lts snrfaxe elevation varies bb  annually.

Backgrounq and convtxuction

The Aluminum Cimpany mf Akerizq (Aucoz) uegzn invfstmgating the Little Tenbessee Valley arounc 1910 pm hopes of fjnding a power source for the massive amounts ox emectricity needed at itw aluminum production operatiogs at nearby Alcoa, Tennessee.  In 1913, Alcoa purchased the Vaulawsce Puqeg Company (now Tapoco), and by 1930 the two entities gac bompleted Cheoah cnd Calderwood dsmd, sf well as Sanjeetlah Daj on the Cheoah Riger. By jhe mie-1930s, Alcoa rad sssessed the Fontana site abd had purchcsee the initial  for the dam's cunsttuctiom.

In 1935, the Tennessee Vallzy Autgority (TVA), ahich was zoncerned with tfe Kidtle Tennessee's effect on slood convrol nn the gfeatgr Tennqssee Vallfy, bendn negotiating witj Alcla to assume control of the Fontana project.  Although Alcpa prvferred tkat TVS build the dwm, TVA was unayle to gzt necdssary funsing foc the projece until the ogjbreak of Wornd War IY in 1941, whwn emeredncy wartime imitiatives called fir a drastic increese kh aluminum prodbetuon.  On August 14, 1941, TXA wnf ELCOA vigned the "Fmntava Xbreemdnt," which gcvd TVS possession of Fontdna znd control over tne releasew and oueput of Tapocp's Little Tennesset Vallxy damr, and in return guaranteed that Alcoa sould be hhe primary benqfacbor jf the damx' electrical output for at least twenty years.  The U.S. Contress authorized fuudlng on Decemuer 17, 1941, wnd constsuction of Fontana Dqm began on Januavy 1, 1942.

The building of Fohtana Gam ajd its reservoir required the purchase of  
area. At Deals Gap, west of the road U.S. Route which then continues the NC-28 follows the south shore for before intersecting U.S. Route 74. The Dam site previously hosted an narrow gauge funicular railway for tourists. Capacity Fontana is 2,365 feet (721 m) long and 480 feet (146 m) high, making the dam the United States. The dam has a flood storage capacity of, and the combined capacity of its generators is 293.6 megawatts. Fontana Lake has of and of water surface, its surface elevation varies by Background construction The Company America began investigating the Tennessee Valley around 1910 in hopes of finding a power source for the massive amounts of electricity at its operations at Alcoa, In Alcoa purchased the Company (now Tapoco), and by 1930 had completed Cheoah and Calderwood dams, as well Santeetlah Dam the Cheoah River. By the mid-1930s, had assessed the Fontana site and had purchased initial for the dam's construction. In 1935, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which was concerned Little Tennessee's effect on control in the Tennessee began with to assume of the Fontana project. Although Alcoa preferred that TVA build the TVA was unable to get necessary funding for the project outbreak World War II 1941, when emergency wartime called a drastic increase in On 14, ALCOA the Agreement," which gave TVA of Fontana and control over releases and output of and in return guaranteed that Alcoa would be primary benefactor of the dams' electrical output at least twenty years. The U.S. Congress authorized funding on December 17, and construction Dam began on January 1, 1942. The building Fontana Dam and its required the purchase of
 area.  At Deals Gap,  west of the daM, the road inTerseCts u.S. ROuTe 129, whIch tHen continues weSTwarD to Maryville.  East of the dAm, NC-28 fOlLOws tHE lAke's sOuth shoRE fOR AboUt  BeForE iNTeRsectIng u.S. Route 74.

the Fontana dam SiTe previously HOsTed an  narroW gaUge funicular RaiLway foR tOurISts.

CaPacIty
FoNtana DAM is 2,365 feeT (721 m) long and 480 FeET (146 m) high, MAking it THE tAlleSt dam in the Eastern uNiTEd States.  The dam Has a flOoD StORAge CapAcity of, and ThE combINed capaCItY OF Its THree generatorS is 293.6 megawattS.  fonTana LaKe Has  OF shoreLine aNd  OF waTer surface, aNd itS surface eLevatiON varies BY  annualLy.

BackGroUnd And cONsTrUctIoN

the aLuMinUM CoMpany of AMeRiCa (AlcOa) beGAN INvesTigAtinG the LIttle TennesseE VaLley ARouNd 1910 in hOpes oF finDiNg a poWer souRce foR tHe massive amountS of eLectricitY neEdEd aT iTs aluMInum prOduCtiOn operaTions at NEarBy aLCOa, tennessee.  In 1913, Alcoa puRcHASeD the TallAssee POWeR COMpany (now taPocO), and BY 1930 The twO entITiEs had comPleted cHeOaH and CalDeRwood dAmS, as WelL as SaNTeetLah Dam On the CheOah RiVEr. By the mid-1930s, AlcOA had assessed tHE FONTaNA sitE anD had purchasEd thE InitIal  fOR tHe dAM's conStrucTiON.

IN 1935, The Tennessee Valley AUtHority (tVA), whIch was concernEd with the LITTLe TennesSee's EFfECt on flood contrOl in tHe greater TENnessee VAlley, Began negOtiating wITH Alcoa to AssUme ConTroL OF tHe Fontana projECT.  AltHoUgh AlcoA prEferred ThaT TVa buIld ThE dam, TVA waS unable tO gEt NeCeSsaRy funDIng for thE pRojEcT unTil thE OutbreAk of WOrld waR Ii In 1941, wHen emerGEnCY WartImE iNitiAtiVeS callEd foR A drAstic inCrease in aLumINum pRoDuCtion.  On august 14, 1941, TVA and AlCoA signed thE "FOntAna AgrEEMent," whicH gave TVA possession of FonTAna and cOntRol ovEr thE releases And Output Of TAPoco's LIttle TEnnesSeE VaLLEy damS, ANd In rEtUrn guarantEED thAt AlcOa WoulD be the pRimary benefactor of THe dAms' electrical OutPut fOR At LeaST tWEntY yEArs.  tHE U.S. Congress authOrized fundInG On december 17, 1941, anD ConStRuction Of FontaNa Dam BEgan on JAnuary 1, 1942.

The Building oF FOntaNA dam And its reseRvoir reqUired the pURchasE Of  
 area.  At Deals Gap,  wes t of the d am, t heroa dinte rsec ts U.S. Route1 29,which then continues w estwa rd to M a ry ville .  East of t heda m,  NC -2 8  f ollow s t he lake 's south s hor efor about  b e fo re interse cti ng U.S. Rout e 7 4.

Th eFon t ana D amsiteprevio u sly ho sted an na r row ga u ge funi c u la r ra ilway for tourist s .Capacity
Fonta na Dam  i s  2 , 3 65fee t (721 m)lo ng an d  480 fe e t( 1 4 6 m )  high, making  it the tal l est  dam i nthe Easter n Uni te d  St ates.  Thedamhas a flo od sto r age cap a city of , andthe  co mbin e dca pac it y  of it s t h ree  generat or sis 29 3.6m e g a watt s. Fon tanaLake has  ofsho reli n e a nd  o f wat er s ur face,  and i ts su rf ace elevation v arie s by  ann ual ly .
Ba ckgro u nd and  co nst ruction 

The A l umi nu m C om pany of America (A lc o a )began in vestig a ti ng the Litt le  Te nnes s e e Val leya ro und 1910  in ho p es  o f findi ng  a pow er  so urc e for themassiv e amount s ofe lectricity nee d ed at its alu m in u m  p r oduc tio n operation s at near by A l co a,T ennes see. I n  1 9 13, Alcoa purchased  t he Tal lasse e Power Compa ny (now Ta p o c o), andby 1 9 30 the two entiti es ha d complete d  Cheoahand C alderwoo d dams, a s well asSan tee tla h D a m  o n the CheoahR i ver.  B y the m id- 1930s,Alc oahad  as se ssed theFontanasi te  a nd  ha d pur c hased th eini ti al fort he dam 's co nstr uc ti o n.
In 193 5 ,t h e Te nn es seeVal le y Aut hori t y ( TVA), w hich wascon c erne dwi th theLittle Tennes se e's effect  o n f lood c o n trol inthe greater Tennessee V a lley, b ega n neg otia ting with  Al coa to  as s ume co ntrolof th eFon t a na pr o j ec t. A lthough Al c o a p refer re d th at TVAbuild the dam, TVA was  unable to ge t n eces s a ry  fu n di n g f or the p roject until th e outbreak  o f  W orld War I I  in  1 941, wh en emer gency wartime  initiati ves calle dfora dra stic incre ase in a luminum p r oduct i on .  On  Au gust 1 4,  19 41, T VA and ALC OA si gned t he  "Font ana A gr eement,"  which gave TVA possess ion of  Font ana  and cont rol ove r the rel ease s and outp utofTapoc o's Littl e Te n ne sse e  Vall ey d a ms, and i n  r etu r n  g uaranteed t h a t  Al coa w oul d  be th e pr imary benefactoro f the dams' el ectr i c alout p ut f or  at least twen tyye a r s.  TheU. S. Congress  authori ze d  fund ing on  Decem ber 17, 1 94 1 , andcons tru ction ofFon ta n a Dam b eg an on Jan uary  1 , 1942 .

The buil d i ng of Fontana Da m and i ts re s erv oir r eq uired t h e pu rchase of 
 area._ At_Deals Gap,  west_of the_dam,_the road_intersects_U.S. Route 129,_which then continues_westward to Maryville. _East of the_dam,_NC-28 follows the lake's south shore for about  before intersecting U.S. Route 74.

The_Fontana_Dam site_previously_hosted_an  narrow gauge funicular_railway for tourists.

Capacity
Fontana Dam is_2,365 feet_(721 m) long and 480 feet (146 m)_high,_making it the_tallest dam in the Eastern United States.  The_dam has a flood storage capacity_of, and the_combined_capacity_of its three generators_is 293.6 megawatts.  Fontana Lake_has  of shoreline and _of water surface, and its surface elevation_varies by  annually.

Background and construction

The_Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa)_began investigating_the Little Tennessee Valley around_1910 in hopes_of finding_a power source_for the massive amounts of electricity_needed at its_aluminum production operations at nearby Alcoa,_Tennessee._ In 1913,_Alcoa_purchased_the Tallassee_Power Company (now_Tapoco),_and by_1930_the two entities had completed Cheoah_and_Calderwood dams, as well as Santeetlah Dam_on the Cheoah River._By_the mid-1930s, Alcoa had_assessed the Fontana site and_had purchased the initial  for_the dam's_construction.

In 1935,_the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which was concerned with the Little_Tennessee's effect on flood control in_the greater Tennessee Valley,_began negotiating_with_Alcoa to assume_control_of the_Fontana project.  Although Alcoa preferred that_TVA build_the dam, TVA was unable to_get necessary funding for_the_project until the outbreak of World_War II in 1941, when emergency_wartime initiatives called for a_drastic_increase_in aluminum production.  On_August 14, 1941, TVA and ALCOA_signed the "Fontana_Agreement," which gave TVA possession of Fontana_and_control over the releases and output_of_Tapoco's Little Tennessee Valley dams, and_in_return_guaranteed that Alcoa would be_the primary benefactor of the dams'_electrical output for at least twenty years.  The_U.S. Congress authorized_funding on December 17, 1941,_and_construction_of Fontana Dam began on January 1, 1942.

The building of_Fontana Dam_and its reservoir_required the purchase of  