Sawmill Branch dam
Sawmill Branch
Sawmill Branch, located in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, is a privately owned Earth dam built in 1963 with a hydraulic height of 14.8 feet and a structural height of 15.2 feet. It serves the purpose of storing water with a maximum capacity of 54 acre-feet and a normal storage of 53 acre-feet. Covering a surface area of 9 acres and draining a 0.47 square mile area, this dam on the Sawmill Branch river stream plays a crucial role in water resource management in Dickson County.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Sawmill Branch dam has a moderate risk rating, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management. Although it has not been assessed for condition, the dam has not been rated, and emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are not reported as being in place. With the last inspection date in October 2020 and an inspection frequency of 5 years, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize safety and maintenance to ensure the long-term stability and function of this vital water infrastructure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the intricacies of dams like Sawmill Branch sheds light on the importance of sustainable water management practices. With the dam's location in the Nashville District and oversight by the Tennessee state regulatory agency, the dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure plays in balancing water supply, flood control, and environmental preservation in the region. Ongoing collaboration and investment in monitoring and maintenance will be key to ensuring the resilience of Sawmill Branch and similar structures in the face of changing climate conditions and growing water resource demands.
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 Sawmill Branch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek At Ellis Mills | 61 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Vernon | 239 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Hwy 100 At Centerville | 3,040 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River Near Kingston Springs | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Below Lobelville | 1,080 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sawmill Branch.
Boat launches
- Humphreys County
- Gaynor Slough Boat Ramp
- Cheatham County
- Willie Shanes Road 115, Hickman County
- Eva Beach Drive 248, Eva
- New Johnsonville Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Woodland Shelter
- Wildcat Shelter
- Camp Isengard
- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
- Harpeth River Bridge
Track Sawmill Branch 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 Sawmill Branch
Where does the data for Sawmill Branch 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 Sawmill Branch.