Lake Buena Vista dam
Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista in Sevier, Tennessee, is a private dam managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, ensuring it meets state regulations for safety, inspection, and enforcement. Built in 1978, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 32 feet, with a hydraulic height of 28.5 feet, serving primarily for fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. With a storage capacity of 33 acre-feet, the dam's normal storage level is at 24 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 2.7 acres and draining a small watershed area of 0.04 square miles.
Despite being categorized as having a high hazard potential, Lake Buena Vista's condition assessment remains satisfactory, according to the most recent inspection in April 2020. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with a DSAC assigned date yet to be determined. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has not been modified over the years. Although there are no associated locks or outlet gates, the dam continues to serve its purposes effectively while meeting state permitting and inspection requirements, making it a crucial component of water resource management in the area.
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 Lake Buena Vista -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 673 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 228 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 349 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 788 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 435 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 2,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Buena Vista.
Boat launches
- Sevier County
- River Island Boulevard Knox County
- Seven Islands Road Seven Islands
- Cruze Landing Boat Ramp
- Alcoa Water Plant Boat Ramp
- Mead's Quarry Lake Ramp
Campgrounds
- Koa Holiday
- Greenbrier Campground
- Elkmont Campground
- Elkmont Group Campground
- Elkmont - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- #32 Injun Creek
Fishing spots
- Birchfield Branch
- Augerhole Branch
- Santeetlah Lake
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Allen Branch Pond
- Citico Creek
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
More reservoirs
Track Lake Buena Vista 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 Lake Buena Vista
Where does the data for Lake Buena Vista 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 Lake Buena Vista.