Allen Branch Dam dam
Allen Branch Dam
Allen Branch Dam, located in Newport, Tennessee, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Built in 1969, this Earth-type dam stands at 26 feet high and spans a length of 296 feet, with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. The dam also plays a role in flood risk reduction and recreational activities, showcasing its versatility in water resource management.
With a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a controlled spillway type, Allen Branch Dam has a low hazard potential but is considered to have a very high risk, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The dam underwent structural modifications in 2006 and is equipped with a vertical lift outlet gate for water release. Despite being rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness are areas that may require further attention.
Allen Branch Dam serves as a vital component in the water management infrastructure of Cocke County, Tennessee, providing essential support for fish and wildlife habitats while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. As climate change impacts intensify, the importance of maintaining and enhancing the resilience of dams like Allen Branch becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding water resources and ecosystems in the region.
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 Allen Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Hot Springs | 736 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River Below Nolichucky Dam | 582 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Newport | 860 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River At Newport | 408 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville | 170 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River Near Lowland | 756 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Allen Branch Dam.
Boat launches
- French Broad Boat Launch
- Redmon Road Madison County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Doc Mc Fall Road 2932, Morristown
- Dixie Highway 416, Bean Station
- T V A Road, Rogersville
Campgrounds
- Houston Valley
- Houston Valley Campground
- Paint Creek Corridor
- Paint Creek Campground
- Paint Creek
- Round Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
Track Allen Branch Dam 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 Allen Branch Dam
Where does the data for Allen Branch Dam 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 Allen Branch Dam.