Rarity Mountain dam
Rarity Mountain
Rarity Mountain, located in Campbell County, Tennessee, is a privately owned irrigation dam that was completed in 2008. With a primary purpose of irrigation, this Earth-type dam stands at a hydraulic height of 58 feet and a structural height of 64.5 feet, with a total length of 460 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 53 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 78 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 0.05 square miles in the TRIBLAUREL FORK stream.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Rarity Mountain has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam operates under the jurisdiction of the state of Tennessee, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement carried out by state agencies. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it has not undergone any modifications since its completion. The last inspection of Rarity Mountain took place in January 2018, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Rarity Mountain to be a fascinating example of a privately owned irrigation dam in Tennessee. Its strategic location, design features, and operational aspects make it a noteworthy structure in the region. With a focus on water management for agricultural purposes, Rarity Mountain plays a crucial role in supporting local irrigation needs and contributing to the overall water resource management in the area.
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 Rarity Mountain -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 48 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 379 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 449 cfs | → |
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 105 cfs | → |
| Powell River Near Arthur | 266 cfs | → |
| New River At New River | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rarity Mountain.
Boat launches
- Wells Springs Road Campbell County
- Redbird Road Whitley County
- Highway 33 South 5799, Claiborne County
- Grove Whitley County
- Claiborne County
- Whitley County
Campgrounds
- Indian Mountain State Park
- Cove Lake State Park
- Anderson County Park
- Bunch Hollow Campground & Resort
- Loyston Point
- West Campground
Paddle runs
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
Track Rarity Mountain 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 Rarity Mountain
Where does the data for Rarity Mountain 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 Rarity Mountain.