Lawson dam
Lawson
Lawson is a private recreational dam located in Bradley, Tennessee, with a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.7 acres. Managed by the Tennessee state agency, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, serving as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, highlighting a need for regular inspection and maintenance to ensure public safety.
Situated within the Nashville District, Lawson features an uncontrolled spillway type and is not regulated by the state, posing a moderate risk level according to a recent assessment. Although it lacks official state permitting and inspection, the dam has emergency action protocols in place, with a designated inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam's last inspection was conducted in April 2020, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management practices to mitigate potential threats and ensure the longevity of this vital water resource infrastructure for the community.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lawson serves as a unique case study for the intersection of private ownership, recreational purposes, and dam safety considerations. With its picturesque location and significant storage capacity, this dam underscores the need for proactive risk assessment and management strategies in safeguarding both the environment and public welfare. As stakeholders continue to navigate the complexities of maintaining aging infrastructure like Lawson, a comprehensive approach to monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness will be essential in sustaining the resilience of water resources amidst evolving climate challenges.
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 Lawson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 32 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Crandall | 7 cfs | → |
| Conasauga River Near Eton | 161 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Cr At Mile Straight | 16 cfs | → |
| South Chickamauga Creek Near Chickamauga | 216 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawson.
Boat launches
- Dentville Road 266-362, Benton
- Sugar Loaf Drive Polk County
- Patty Road 1527, Delano
- Mcminn County
- Tn 58 3829, Meigs County
- Highway 30 5514, Benton
Campgrounds
- Chilhowee Campground
- Chilhowee Recreation Area
- Chilhowee Rec Area
- Parksville Lake Campground
- Parksville
- Parksville Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
- Nf Boundary To Taylor's Creek In Cherokee Nf (Tn)
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
More reservoirs
Track Lawson 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 Lawson
Where does the data for Lawson 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 Lawson.