Lake In The Sky dam
Lake In The Sky
Lake In The Sky, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Blount, Tennessee, is a privately owned Earth dam that stands as a testament to human engineering and ingenuity. Completed in 1966, this dam boasts a hydraulic height of 27.2 feet and a structural height of 33.2 feet, with a storage capacity of 939 acre-feet and a surface area of 52.7 acres. Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, this dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and integrity.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, Lake In The Sky is a vital resource for water storage and management in the region. Situated along Flat Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in flood control, irrigation, and water supply for the surrounding areas. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are yet to be fully detailed, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and preparedness in the face of potential emergencies.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake In The Sky offers a glimpse into the delicate balance between human development and environmental preservation. With its serene waters and impressive engineering, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climates and increasing water demands. As we look towards the future, the maintenance and upkeep of structures like Lake In The Sky will be crucial in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our water resources for generations to come.
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 Lake In The Sky -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Maryville | 115 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 112 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 88 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 130 cfs | → |
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 149 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake In The Sky.
Boat launches
- Calderwood Highway 6676, Blount County
- Calderwood Highway Blount County
- Alcoa Water Plant Boat Ramp
- Citico Boat Ramp
- Co Op Road 4406, Rockford
- Topside Road 2317, Louisville
Campgrounds
- #02 Cane Creek
- 2 Cane Creek
- Look Rock - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Look Rock Campground
- 11 Beard Cane
- #01 Cooper Road
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
Track Lake In The Sky 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 Lake In The Sky
Where does the data for Lake In The Sky 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.