Gum Branch dam
Gum Branch
Gum Branch is a private dam situated in Anderson, Tennessee, primarily designed for tailings purposes. Built in 1981, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 447 feet with a hydraulic height of 435 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1720 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 1570 feet and covers a surface area of 30.8 acres, serving the local community in Devonia by regulating the Gum Branch river.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Gum Branch has a state-regulated status with regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment as of November 2020 was reported as satisfactory. With a moderate risk level, measures for risk management and emergency preparedness are in place, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dam's safety standards to protect the surrounding environment and communities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Gum Branch an intriguing structure, combining engineering excellence with environmental stewardship. Its significance lies not only in its functional purpose but also in the balance it maintains between human needs and natural ecosystems. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Gum Branch serves as a reminder of the vital role dams play in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Gum Branch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Emory River At Oakdale | 76 cfs | → |
| Obed River Near Lancing | 599 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 32 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Lilly Bridge Near Lancing | 14 cfs | → |
| New River At New River | 48 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork Near Robbins | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gum Branch.
Boat launches
- Morgan County Highway 3098, Wartburg
- Solway Park Oak Ridge
- Melton Hill Park Boat Ramp
- Mountain View Road 332, Norris
- New Henderson Road Anderson County
- Melton Hill Dam Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Coffin Springs Campsite
- Panther Gap Rockhouse
- Tub Spring Campsite
- Old Mac Campsite
- Mart Fields Campsite
- Frozen Head State Park
Paddle runs
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
Track Gum 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 Gum Branch
Where does the data for Gum 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 Gum Branch.