Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike dam
Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike
Douglas Dam, also known as Douglas Lake, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Dandridge, Tennessee. Owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this Federal dam was completed in 1943 and stands at a height of 52 feet, with a structural height of 60 feet. The primary purpose of this earth dam is flood risk reduction, serving as a crucial infrastructure along the French Broad River.
Designed by TVA, the Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike is one of 11 associated structures in the area. With a high hazard potential, this dam plays a critical role in protecting the surrounding Jefferson County community from potential flooding events. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in July 2020, indicating ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike is not just a structure but a symbol of resilience and proactive risk management in the face of natural disasters. With a history dating back to the early 20th century, this Federal dam continues to be a cornerstone of flood protection in the region, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic 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 - Dandridge Backwater Dike -- 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 | → |
| Nolichucky River Near Lowland | 635 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville | 149 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Above Tazewell | 473 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike.
Boat launches
- Sevier County
- Renfro Road 2637, Jefferson City
- Tva Dam Road, Jefferson City
- Panther Creek Road 5820-6208, Morristown
- Grainger County Park Boat Launch
- Nance Ferry Road Grainger County
Campgrounds
- Dandridge Municipal Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Douglas Dam Headwater
- Sevier County Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Douglas Dam Tailwater
- Cherokee Dam
- Panther Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike 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 - Dandridge Backwater Dike
Where does the data for Douglas Dam - Dandridge Backwater Dike 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 - Dandridge Backwater Dike.