Paradise Lake dam
Paradise Lake
Paradise Lake in Marshall, Tennessee is a privately owned earth dam structure located on Thomas Branch, with a satisfactory condition assessment and a low hazard potential. Built in 1900, the dam has a hydraulic height of 19.5 feet and a structural height of 29.5 feet, providing a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The normal storage level is 47 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 6 acres and draining a 0.28 square mile watershed.
Managed and regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Paradise Lake is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam has not undergone recent modifications and lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an inundation map or an updated emergency action plan. With an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, the dam's associated structures are limited, and it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Paradise Lake presents an intriguing case study in dam safety and risk management. With its historical significance and relatively modest size, this privately owned structure serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness in safeguarding our water resources and communities from potential hazards associated with aging infrastructure.
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 Paradise Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Rock Cr At Double Bridges | 3 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Fountain Heights | 3 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Milltown | 175 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Columbia | 224 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Howell | 0 cfs | → |
| Duck River Near Shelbyville | 142 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paradise Lake.
Boat launches
- Sowell Mill Pike 3181-3183, Columbia
- Howards Bridge Boat Access
- Lillard's Mill Launch Area
- Carpenter Bridge Road 2308, Columbia
- Iron Bridge Road 918, Columbia
- Riverside Drive 302, Columbia
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Paradise 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 Paradise Lake
Where does the data for Paradise 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 Low 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 Paradise Lake.