Lake Vonda dam
Lake Vonda
Lake Vonda, located in Hardeman, Tennessee, is a private dam regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program. Built in 1973, this Earth type dam stands at a height of 47.7 feet with a hydraulic height of 41.9 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 630 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 420 acre-feet and a surface area of 33 acres. The dam is situated on Cub Creek and is under the jurisdiction of the state of Tennessee for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
With a significant hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of October 2020, Lake Vonda poses a moderate risk (level 3) according to the data available. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and no outlet gates, with no associated locks for navigation. Despite its risk level, the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years and has a regular inspection frequency of every 2 years to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Vonda offers a fascinating case study of a privately owned dam in Tennessee, showcasing the importance of state regulation and inspection in ensuring the safety and maintenance of critical infrastructure. The dam's location on Cub Creek and its role in storing water for various purposes highlight the interconnectedness of water resources management and climate resilience. As an earth type dam with a moderate risk level, Lake Vonda serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive risk management measures to protect communities and the environment from potential dam failures.
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 Lake Vonda -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchie River At Bolivar | 684 cfs | → |
| Hatchie River Near Walnut | 157 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Lagrange | 126 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Rossville | 375 cfs | → |
| Horse Creek Near Savannah | 94 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Forked Deer River Near Fairview | 133 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Vonda.
Track Lake Vonda 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 Lake Vonda
Where does the data for Lake Vonda 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 Lake Vonda.