Davis Lake dam
Davis Lake
Davis Lake, located in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is a private fish and wildlife pond with a primary purpose of supporting aquatic habitat and recreational activities. The dam, constructed in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, is an earth structure with a hydraulic height of 12.9 feet and a structural height of 16.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a surface area of 7.3 acres, the dam on Mud Creek provides important water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite being privately owned, Davis Lake has a low hazard potential and is not currently regulated or inspected by state agencies. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has not been modified in recent years. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk. Emergency action plans and inundation maps have not been prepared for the dam, but its condition is currently not rated. Overall, Davis Lake serves as a valuable resource for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
With its picturesque setting and focus on supporting fish and wildlife, Davis Lake is a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's design by the USDA NRCS and its location on Mud Creek in Bedford County make it a unique feature in the area. While not subject to state regulation or inspection, the dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk level suggest a need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and longevity. For those interested in exploring the intersection of water management and environmental conservation, Davis Lake offers a fascinating case study in private ownership and stewardship of natural resources.
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 Davis 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 | → |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 41 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek Near Deason | 0 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Howell | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Rock Cr At Double Bridges | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Davis Lake.
Boat launches
- South Cannon Boulevard 325, Shelbyville
- Ridgeville Road 581-899, Tullahoma
- Boat Ramp Road, Lynchburg
- Normandy Dam Road Coffee County
- Turkey Creek Boat Dock Road, Tullahoma
- Roberts Ridge Road 3855, Manchester
Campgrounds
- Barton Springs - Normandy Lake
- Cedar Point - Normandy Lake
- Henry Horton State Park
- Tims Ford State Camp
- Tims Ford State Park
- Old Stone Fort State Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Davis 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 Davis Lake
Where does the data for Davis 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 Low 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 Davis Lake.