Harvey Lake dam
Harvey Lake
Harvey Lake, located in Bedford, Tennessee, is a private earth dam that was completed in 1965. With a hydraulic height of 29 feet and a structural height of 31 feet, this dam serves the primary purpose of water storage, with a capacity of 300 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 245 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 21 acres and is fed by Sugar Creek, making it a vital resource for the surrounding community.
Although not state-regulated, Harvey Lake has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has not received a condition assessment rating. Despite its risk level, the dam has not been assigned an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or undergone recent inspections. The surrounding area, known as ANCHOR MILL, is represented in Congress by Scott DesJarlais (R), who oversees the district in which the lake is situated.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Harvey Lake to be a fascinating case study of a privately-owned dam with potential risks and valuable water storage capacity. As a key feature in the local landscape, the lake's management and maintenance will be crucial in ensuring its safety and longevity for future generations. Its location in the Nashville District further highlights the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems, making it a site of interest for those interested in sustainable water resource management.
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 Harvey Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck River Near Shelbyville | 942 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Shelbyville | 580 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek Near Deason | 0 cfs | → |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 41 cfs | → |
| Big Rock Cr At Double Bridges | 3 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Howell | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harvey Lake.
Boat launches
- South Cannon Boulevard 325, Shelbyville
- Normandy Dam Road Coffee County
- Roberts Ridge Road 3855, Manchester
- Cedar Point Road 1498, Manchester
- Barton Springs Boat Ramp
- Ridgeville Road 581-899, Tullahoma
Campgrounds
- Henry Horton State Park
- Cedar Point - Normandy Lake
- Barton Springs - Normandy Lake
- Tims Ford State Camp
- Tims Ford State Park
- Old Stone Fort State Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Harvey 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 Harvey Lake
Where does the data for Harvey 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 Harvey Lake.