Norris dam
Norris
Norris, also known as Jolly Lake Dam, is a private earth dam located in Overton, Tennessee, with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Constructed in 1965 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a structural height of 25 feet and has a hydraulic height of 15 feet, spanning a length of 403 feet. With a storage capacity of 174 acre-feet, Norris covers a surface area of 9 acres and has a drainage area of 0.17 square miles, making it an essential resource for fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreational activities.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment score of 3, Norris has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and is not regulated or inspected by the state, making it a unique structure within the Nashville District. With no outlet gates and a lack of emergency action plans in place, Norris presents an opportunity for further assessment and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of its surrounding environment and the communities it serves. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Norris represents a fascinating intersection of infrastructure, conservation, and recreational purposes in the heart of Tennessee.
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 Norris -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Obey River Near Alpine | 10 cfs | → |
| East Fork Obey River Near Jamestown | 11 cfs | → |
| Wolf River Near Byrdstown | 15 cfs | → |
| Roaring River Near Hilham | 10 cfs | → |
| Falling Water River Near Cookeville | 24 cfs | → |
| South Fk Cumberland River At Leatherwood Ford | 114 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norris.
Boat launches
- Tennessee 111, Byrdstown
- State Park Road Clinton County
- Dodson Branch Highway 10281-10325, Gainesboro
- Cumberland County
- Riverbrook Trail Cumberland County
Campgrounds
- Obey River - Dale Hollow Lake
- East Fork Stables
- Standing Stone State Rustic Park
- Lillydale - Dale Hollow Lake
- Willow Grove - Dale Hollow Lake
- Dale Hollow Dam - Dale Hollow Lake
Paddle runs
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
Track Norris 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 Norris
Where does the data for Norris 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 Norris.