Higdon dam
Higdon
Located in Carroll, Tennessee, the Higdon dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Built in 1979, this earth dam spans 650 feet and rises to a structural height of 33.9 feet, with a hydraulic height of 30.3 feet. The dam's primary purpose is to regulate the flow of Cotton Creek, providing crucial water resource management for the region. With a normal storage capacity of 259 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 339 acre-feet, Higdon plays a vital role in flood control and water supply for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Higdon is subject to regular inspections and regulatory oversight to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is classified as having a moderate risk level. This designation underscores the importance of ongoing risk management measures and emergency preparedness to mitigate potential threats and safeguard the local community. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the role of dams like Higdon in sustainable water management becomes increasingly significant.
With its uncontrolled spillway and minimal associated structures, Higdon exemplifies the balance between human development and environmental conservation. As the Nashville District oversees its operations and maintenance, Higdon serves as a model for effective dam management in the face of changing environmental conditions and growing water resource challenges. Whether it's regulating water flow, storing vital supplies, or protecting against potential hazards, Higdon stands as a resilient and essential element of Tennessee's water infrastructure, embodying the intersection of human innovation and natural resource conservation.
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 Higdon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy River At Bruceton | 65 cfs | → |
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 0 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Huntingdon | 38 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 827 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Below Lobelville | 460 cfs | → |
| South Fork Obion River Near Greenfield | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Higdon.
Boat launches
- Birdsong Marina Road Benton County
- New Johnsonville Boat Ramp
- Eva Beach Drive 248, Eva
- Humphreys County
- Gaynor Slough Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Natchez Trace State Park
- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
- Camp Isengard
- Mousetail Landing State Park
- Beech Bend
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Higdon 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 Higdon
Where does the data for Higdon 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 Higdon.