Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 dam
Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3, also known as Douglas Lake, is a Federal-owned structure located in Sevier, Tennessee, along the French Broad River. Built in 1943 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this earth-type dam stands at a height of 38 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. With a structural height of 39 feet and a length of 650 feet, it is one of 11 associated structures within the area.
Despite its age, Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 underwent a structural modification in 2015 to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Its hazard potential is classified as high, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures. While the dam does not have a spillway or outlet gates, the TVA remains responsible for its operations, inspections, and regulatory oversight.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and engineering feat of Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3, as it continues to play a vital role in managing flood risks and providing various benefits such as hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply in the region. With its strategic location in the Knoxville area and its association with the Tennessee Valley Authority, this dam serves as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing water resources for multiple purposes while ensuring safety and environmental sustainability in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 149 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River At Newport | 259 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Newport | 651 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 88 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 115 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River Near Lowland | 635 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.
Boat launches
- Sevier County
- River Island Boulevard Knox County
- Seven Islands Road Seven Islands
- Cruze Landing Boat Ramp
- Nance Ferry Road Grainger County
- Renfro Road 2637, Jefferson City
Campgrounds
- Sevier County Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Douglas Dam Headwater
- Douglas Dam Tailwater
- Dandridge Municipal Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Koa Holiday
- Cherokee Dam
Fishing spots
Track Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3
Where does the data for Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3 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 Douglas Dam - Saddle Dam No. 3.