Billy's Branch dam
Billy's Branch
Billy's Branch is a vital water supply dam located in White County, Tennessee, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 45.3 feet and a structural height of 52 feet, with a storage capacity of 2303 acre-feet and a surface area of 90 acres. Its primary purpose is water supply, serving the community of Lost Creek and the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of December 2020, Billy's Branch is crucial for water resource management in the region. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it lacks outlet gates, posing challenges in managing water discharge during emergencies. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam benefits from regular inspections and enforcement by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, ensuring its safe operation and maintenance for the future.
As a significant infrastructure managed by a public utility, Billy's Branch plays a key role in water supply and climate resilience efforts in Tennessee. With its history of reliable service since the 1970s and ongoing regulatory oversight, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sound infrastructure management in safeguarding water resources for communities in White County and beyond.
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 Billy's Branch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Calfkiller River At Hwy 111 Below Sparta | 282 cfs | → |
| Falling Water River Near Cookeville | 41 cfs | → |
| Collins River Near Mcminnville | 198 cfs | → |
| Daddys Creek Near Hebbertsburg | 11 cfs | → |
| Roaring River Near Hilham | 12 cfs | → |
| Smith Fork At Temperance Hall | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Billy's Branch.
Campgrounds
- Backcountry Camp 1
- Backcountry Camp 2
- Backcountry Camp 3
- Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake
- Holmes Creek - Center Hill Lake
Paddle runs
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
More reservoirs
Track Billy's Branch 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 Billy's Branch
Where does the data for Billy's Branch 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 Billy's Branch.