Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex) dam
Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex)
The Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex) in Cumberland City, Tennessee, is a federal-owned structure managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a primary purpose of serving as a dry ash stack, gypsum storage area, and stilling pond. Completed in 1969, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 49 feet, with a length of 16,887 feet and a storage capacity of 1,130 acre-feet. The structure is located off the Cumberland River and falls under the jurisdiction of the TVA for regulation, inspection, and operation.
With a hazard potential rated as significant and a moderate risk assessment, the Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond is subject to regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a drainage area of 0.49 square miles and a maximum discharge of 780 cubic feet per second. In 2011, both hydraulic and structural modifications were made to enhance the dam's performance and resilience in the face of potential emergencies.
As a critical component of the Cumberland Fossil Plant complex, the Ash Pond serves as a vital resource for managing coal combustion byproducts and wastewater. Its strategic location near the Cumberland River underscores the importance of maintaining proper oversight and risk management measures to protect the surrounding environment and communities. The TVA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship in the operation of this essential infrastructure.
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 Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek At Ellis Mills | 61 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
| Red River At Port Royal | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 64 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Ashland City | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex).
Boat launches
- Bellwood Landing Road 491, Indian Mound
- Oak Street 173, Clarksville
- Humphreys County
- Lake Access Road 199, Big Sandy
- Cheatham County
- Forest Service Rd 212, Tennessee
Track Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex) 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 Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex)
Where does the data for Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex) 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 Cumberland Fossil Plant - Ash Pond (Complex).