Sweetwater Creek #16 dam
Sweetwater Creek #16
Sweetwater Creek #16, also known as Sweetwater Creek Watershed Dam 16, is a vital structure in the Sweetwater Creek watershed in McMinn, Tennessee. Owned by the local government, this earth dam was designed by the USDA NRCS and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1978, the dam stands at a structural height of 59 feet and has a hydraulic height of 35.7 feet, providing storage for up to 215 acre-feet of water.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Sweetwater Creek #16 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a significant hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2020. With a moderate risk rating, emergency action plans and risk management measures are in place to mitigate potential hazards and protect downstream communities in case of any emergencies.
Located in Wood, Tennessee, this dam plays a crucial role in managing flood risks and safeguarding the surrounding areas from potential inundation. With a solid history of regulatory oversight and maintenance, Sweetwater Creek #16 stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
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 Sweetwater Creek #16 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sewee Creek Near Decatur | 23 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 83 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 27 cfs | → |
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Emory River At Oakdale | 52 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sweetwater Creek #16.
Boat launches
- Loudon Highway 29272, Loudon County
- Meigs County
- Fairview Road 2418, Madisonville
- Notchy Creek Boat Ramp
- Connatser Drive 999, Loudon County
- Morganton Cemetery Road Loudon County
Campgrounds
- Notchy Creek - Tellico Lake
- Lotterdale Cove
- Toqua Beach - Tellico Lake
- Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground
- Yarberry Peninsula
- Gee Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
Track Sweetwater Creek #16 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 Sweetwater Creek #16
Where does the data for Sweetwater Creek #16 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 Sweetwater Creek #16.