Ramsey dam
Ramsey
Ramsey is a privately owned earth dam located in Grundy, Tennessee, near Payne Lake. Built in 1960, this structure stands at a hydraulic height of 16.2 feet and a structural height of 21.5 feet, with a dam length of 560 feet. It has a NID storage capacity of 821 acre-feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 331 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 69 acres. The dam serves the primary purpose of regulating the flow of the Corn Branch stream.
Despite its age, Ramsey poses a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being listed as "Not Rated." However, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with a score of 3 out of 5. The last inspection was conducted in May 2016, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam lacks certain safety features such as a controlled spillway, outlet gates, and emergency action plans, raising concerns about its ability to handle potential emergencies effectively.
Overall, Ramsey represents a significant water resource in the area, playing a crucial role in managing water flow and storage. With its high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, there is a need for regular monitoring and potential updates to ensure the safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Ramsey -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk River Near Pelham | 31 cfs | → |
| Bradley Creek Nr Prairie Plains | 33 cfs | → |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 152 cfs | → |
| Duck River Below Manchester | 41 cfs | → |
| Collins River Near Mcminnville | 198 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Creek Near Montlake | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ramsey.
Boat launches
- Prairie Plains Road 6471, Hillsboro
- Manchester Beach Road, Tullahoma
- Morris Ferry Dock Road 66-98, Estill Springs
- Franklin County Park Boat Ramp
- Bennett Lake Road 257-463, Whitwell
- Interstate 24, Jasper
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ramsey 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 Ramsey
Where does the data for Ramsey 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.