Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment dam
Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment
The Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment, also known as the Betsie Branch Coal Refuse Facility, is a private-owned structure located in Bell, Kentucky. It serves as a tailings dam with a height of 191 feet and a storage capacity of 1194 acre-feet. The dam is primarily made of earth materials and spans a length of 1350 feet. Despite being unregulated by the state, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
This high-hazard potential impoundment has not undergone recent condition assessments, and its emergency action plan status remains unknown. The last inspection took place in March 2021, with no information on potential risks or risk management measures. Situated in the Nashville District, this structure poses a significant risk to the surrounding environment and communities. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring and evaluating the Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment's safety and compliance with regulations are crucial to prevent potential disasters and protect the ecosystem.
As a key component in managing coal refuse materials, the Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment's design and construction details are vital for understanding its impact on water resources and the climate. With its location in Tejay, Kentucky, and under the ownership of a private entity, continued oversight and assessment are necessary to ensure the safety of the dam and surrounding areas. By staying informed and advocating for proper maintenance and regulation, enthusiasts can contribute to safeguarding water resources and mitigating the potential environmental risks associated with this structure.
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 Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River Near Harlan | 348 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Above Smith | 51 cfs | → |
| Powell River Near Arthur | 577 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Near Smith | 29 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Above Tazewell | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Powell River Near Jonesville | 241 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Martins Fork Cabin
- Pine Mountain State Park
- Gibson Gap
- Wilderness Road - Cumberland Gap National Park
- Bunch Hollow Campground & Resort
- Camp Cargill
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
Track Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment 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 Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment
Where does the data for Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment 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 High 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 Betsie Branch Refuse Impoundment.