Porters Creek #8 dam
Porters Creek #8
Porters Creek #8, also known as Porters Creek Lake Dam 8, is a state-owned structure located in Hardeman, Tennessee. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 11 feet and a structural height of 23.5 feet, with a length of 796 feet. The primary purpose of this dam is flood risk reduction, serving to protect the surrounding area from potential water overflow from Porters Creek.
With a storage capacity of 481 acre-feet, Porters Creek #8 covers a surface area of 13.1 acres and drains a 1.14 square-mile area. Its spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a significant hazard potential according to the latest inspection in May 2019, which found the dam's condition to be satisfactory. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the structure is maintained and regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction for the community of Lisbon.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Porters Creek #8 offers a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to manage water flow and protect against potential flooding in the region. Its construction, maintenance, and regulatory oversight by state authorities demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding communities and natural resources from the impacts of extreme weather events. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resource management, structures like Porters Creek #8 play a crucial role in enhancing resilience and preparedness for future climate-related risks.
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 Porters Creek #8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchie River Near Walnut | 157 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Lagrange | 126 cfs | → |
| Hatchie River At Bolivar | 684 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Rossville | 375 cfs | → |
| Little Tallahatchie River At Etta | 125 cfs | → |
| Loosahatchie River Near Arlington | 134 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Porters Creek #8.
Track Porters Creek #8 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 Porters Creek #8
Where does the data for Porters Creek #8 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 Significant 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 Porters Creek #8.