Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 dam
Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3
Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 is a federally owned tailings dam located in Muhlenberg, Kentucky, near the Green River. Designed by TVA and completed in 1994, this earth dam stands at a height of 99 feet with a hydraulic height of 95 feet. With a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet and a surface area of 80 acres, this dam serves the primary purpose of storing tailings from coal washing operations.
Despite its low hazard potential, Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 underwent structural modifications in 2004 to enhance its safety and stability. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet, and it has not experienced any significant issues. The last inspection in January 2020 confirmed its satisfactory condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While the dam does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan in place, it meets regulatory guidelines and is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic location of Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 along the Green River, contributing to efficient tailings management in the region. The dam's design and construction by TVA, a key federal agency, reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance. With a history of responsible operation and periodic inspections, this dam stands as a reliable component of the local water infrastructure, ensuring minimal environmental impact and safeguarding against potential risks.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River At Paradise | 888 cfs | → |
| Pond River Near Apex | 15 cfs | → |
| Green River At Lock 2 At Calhoun | 795 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 36 cfs | → |
| Barren River At Bowling Green | 135 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3.
Boat launches
More reservoirs
- Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3
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- Paradise Fossil Plant - Daniel Run Phase 2 Stilling Pond
- Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond 2 Stilling Pond
- Paradise Fossil Plant - Daniel Run Pond
- Paradise Combined Cycle Plant - Horseshoe Pond
Track Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3
Where does the data for Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Paradise Fossil Plant - Coal Wash Fines Pond #3.