Craighead Lake dam
Craighead Lake
Craighead Lake, located in Monroe, Tennessee, is a private water resource surrounded by natural beauty and a tranquil atmosphere. The lake, fed by Fork Creek, was completed in 1960 and has a significant hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 23.2 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 84 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 14 acre-feet, Craighead Lake covers a surface area of 7 acres and has a drainage area of 0.13 square miles. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam at Craighead Lake is deemed to have a significant hazard potential, making it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
This Earth-type dam stands at a length of 335 feet and has an intriguing spillway that is uncontrolled. While the condition of the dam is currently not rated, it undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its safety and integrity. The risk assessment for Craighead Lake is moderate, with a designated risk level of 3, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management. With its picturesque location and unique features, Craighead Lake offers a fascinating site for those interested in exploring water resource management and climate-related issues in Tennessee.
Although not regulated by the state, Craighead Lake presents an opportunity to study the balance between water conservation and recreational use in a private setting. Water enthusiasts can appreciate the natural beauty of the lake while also considering the potential risks and management measures associated with its operation. As a hidden gem in the Nashville District, Craighead Lake invites visitors to delve into the complexities of dam infrastructure and the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climates.
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 Craighead Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 110 cfs | → |
| Sewee Creek Near Decatur | 26 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 30 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 134 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 34 cfs | → |
| Emory River At Oakdale | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Craighead Lake.
Boat launches
- Notchy Creek Boat Ramp
- Connatser Drive 999, Loudon County
- Morganton Cemetery Road Loudon County
- Cherokee Drive 1003, Vonore
- Toqua Boat Ramp
- Loudon Highway 29272, Loudon County
Campgrounds
- Lotterdale Cove
- Notchy Creek - Tellico Lake
- Toqua Beach - Tellico Lake
- Yarberry Peninsula
- Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort
- Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
Track Craighead Lake 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 Craighead Lake
Where does the data for Craighead Lake 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 Craighead Lake.