Lake Elaine dam
Lake Elaine
Lake Elaine, located in Bedford, Tennessee, is a privately owned Earth dam with a hydraulic height of 21 feet and a structural height of 26 feet. Completed in 1945, this dam boasts a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 200 acre-feet and a surface area of 28.5 acres. The dam is situated on the Coleman Ray Branch, under the jurisdiction of the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Lake Elaine is a key feature in the area's water resource management. Despite its age, the dam's condition has not been formally rated, and it is not subject to state regulation or inspection. The spillway is uncontrolled, and there are no outlet gates or associated structures. The last inspection was conducted in January 2020, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Elaine presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure. Its historical significance, high hazard potential, and moderate risk assessment make it a focal point for understanding the complexities of managing water resources in the region. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and extreme weather events, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Lake Elaine will be crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water systems for future generations.
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 Elaine -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck River At Shelbyville | 540 cfs | → |
| Duck River Near Shelbyville | 942 cfs | → |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 10 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek Near Deason | 0 cfs | → |
| Duck River Below Manchester | 32 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Howell | 0 cfs | → |
About Lake Elaine
Where does the data for Lake Elaine 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 below 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.
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.