Clarksville Lake dam
Clarksville Lake
Clarksville Lake in Montgomery, Tennessee is a significant earth dam structure with a hydraulic height of 34.5 feet and a structural height of 40.6 feet. Completed in 1940, this dam serves the primary purpose of water resource management, providing a maximum storage capacity of 837 acre-feet and a normal storage of 552 acre-feet. With a surface area of 40 acres and a drainage area of 4.6 square miles, Clarksville Lake plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Clarksville Lake has a significant hazard potential but is currently rated as having satisfactory condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, indicating a reliance on natural overflow mechanisms. Despite its age, Clarksville Lake undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment of 3, the dam is closely monitored to implement appropriate risk management measures and safeguard against potential emergencies.
Located in Dotsonville along Bartee Branch, Clarksville Lake is a vital water resource for the region, supported by a local government ownership structure. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, the dam serves as a key component in the environmental and water management strategy of Montgomery, Tennessee. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of Clarksville Lake in balancing the needs of the community with the preservation of natural resources.
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 Clarksville Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek At Ellis Mills | 61 cfs | → |
| Red River At Port Royal | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Ashland City | 49 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River Near Kingston Springs | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 3,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clarksville Lake.
Boat launches
- Oak Street 173, Clarksville
- Bellwood Landing Road 491, Indian Mound
- Cheatham County
- Forest Service Rd 212, Tennessee
Track Clarksville 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 Clarksville Lake
Where does the data for Clarksville 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 Clarksville Lake.