Swain dam
Swain
Swain is a privately owned dam located in Scott, Tennessee, on the beautiful New River. Built in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 40.9 feet and has a hydraulic height of 37.1 feet, with a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. The dam serves a vital role in the region by providing water storage for various purposes, although the primary purpose is not specified in the data.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Swain is a crucial structure that requires careful monitoring and management. Despite not being regulated or inspected by the state, the dam is subject to a regular inspection frequency of every 5 years, with the last inspection conducted in March 2017. The dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," highlighting the need for ongoing assessment and potentially the development of an emergency action plan to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the surrounding environment.
Swain's presence underscores the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. As a key component of the local landscape, this dam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources, infrastructure, and the need for sustainable practices to safeguard our communities for the future.
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 Swain -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River At New River | 323 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork Near Robbins | 200 cfs | → |
| South Fk Cumberland River At Leatherwood Ford | 797 cfs | → |
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 195 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Lilly Bridge Near Lancing | 77 cfs | → |
| Obed River Near Lancing | 599 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swain.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Honeycreek Horse Camp
- Bandy Creek - Big South Fork Area
- Bandy Creek Campground
- Station Camp Horse Camp
- Saddle Valley Campground
- Spruce Creek Stables & Campground
Paddle runs
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
More reservoirs
Track Swain 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 Swain
Where does the data for Swain 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 Swain.