Carter Lake dam
Carter Lake
Carter Lake, located in Lincoln, Tennessee, is a private water resource managed by the Tennessee state agency. The dam, constructed in 1907, stands at a height of 26.9 feet, with a hydraulic height of 23.5 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5.7 acres, with Coldwater Creek serving as its primary source.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Carter Lake is an important water resource in the region. Despite not being state regulated, the dam has a regular inspection frequency of 5 years to ensure its structural integrity. The spillway type is uncontrolled, and the dam is classified as an earth structure, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
Water and climate enthusiasts will find Carter Lake to be a fascinating study in dam engineering and water resource management. Its historical significance, combined with its size and risk assessment, make it an intriguing subject for those interested in the intersection of water resources and environmental stewardship. With its location in a picturesque setting and its importance as a water source for the region, Carter Lake is a valuable asset that warrants continued attention and care.
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 Carter Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk River Above Fayetteville | 967 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Howell | 0 cfs | → |
| Hester Creek At Buddy Williamson Rd Nr Plevna | 463 cfs | → |
| Elk River At Prospect | 3,330 cfs | → |
| East Fork Pinhook Cr At Winchester Rd At Huntsvil | 61 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pinhook Cr At Blue Sprs Rd At Huntsville | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carter Lake.
Boat launches
- Champ Road 48-142, Kelso
- Veto Road 2156, Prospect
- Highway 127 28901-29089, Elkmont
- Old Dam Road 1-457, Mulberry
- Easter Ferry Road 25793, Elkmont
- Vales Mill Road 1300-1368, Pulaski
Campgrounds
- Sharon Johnston Park
- Monte Sano State Park
- Redstone Arsenal Rv Military
- Sleeper Bus
- Tims Ford State Park
- Tims Ford State Camp
Fishing spots
- Fayetteville Old Stone Bridge
- Madison County Lake
- Tva Public Land
- Crowder Slough
- Buckeye Pond
- Winton Branch
Paddle runs
Track Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake
Where does the data for Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake.