Bluecat Lake dam
Bluecat Lake
Bluecat Lake in Maury, Tennessee is a privately-owned reservoir regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program. Completed in 1979, this earthen dam stands at a hydraulic height of 110 feet and a structural height of 120 feet, with a length of 1475 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 4200 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 5760 acre-feet, this reservoir covers a surface area of 103 acres and drains an area of 0.62 square miles.
The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as assessed in January 2021. Although it has an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam is maintained by regular inspections with a frequency of one year. Bluecat Lake's risk assessment is moderate, reflecting a potential for significant consequences in the event of a dam failure. With its picturesque location on the Tribbleipers Fork river, this reservoir offers both water resource and climate enthusiasts a captivating blend of natural beauty and structural engineering.
Visitors to Bluecat Lake can appreciate the careful balance between human development and environmental preservation, as the dam serves as a vital resource for water storage and flood control in the region. The responsible management of this dam by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program ensures the safety of nearby communities while allowing for the enjoyment of recreational activities such as fishing and boating. As a symbol of sustainable water resource management in Tennessee, Bluecat Lake stands as a testament to the importance of safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
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 Bluecat Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck River At Columbia | 214 cfs | → |
| Copperas Branch Near Kingfield | 1 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Hwy 100 At Centerville | 555 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Fountain Heights | 3 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Vernon | 81 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River At Franklin | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bluecat Lake.
Boat launches
- River Trail Maury County
- Riverside Drive 302, Columbia
- Iron Bridge Road 918, Columbia
- Howards Bridge Boat Access
- Carpenter Bridge Road 2308, Columbia
- Sowell Mill Pike 3181-3183, Columbia
Campgrounds
- Tennessee Highway 50 Bicycle-Only Campground, At Milepost 408
- Campers Rv Park
- Meriwether Lewis Campground
- Meriwether Lewis
- Woodland Shelter
- Montgomery Bell State Park
Track Bluecat 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 Bluecat Lake
Where does the data for Bluecat 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 High 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 Bluecat Lake.