Miller Lake dam
Miller Lake
Miller Lake, located in Carter County, Tennessee, is a privately owned reservoir that was completed in 1960. Nestled in the serene surroundings of Backwoods, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 27.2 feet, with a hydraulic height of 24.7 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 82 acre-feet and a surface area of 8.3 acres.
Despite being unregulated by the state, Miller Lake poses a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The reservoir, situated on Roaring Creek, features an uncontrolled spillway and is primarily used for recreational purposes. The dam has not been inspected since November 2017, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. While the condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," the lake remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Overall, Miller Lake offers a tranquil escape for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat in the midst of nature. With its picturesque surroundings and moderate risk level, this privately owned reservoir provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Tennessee's water resources while appreciating the importance of sustainable dam management practices.
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 Miller Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Doe River At Elizabethton | 293 cfs | → |
| Watauga River At Elizabethton | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River At Embreeville | 2,020 cfs | → |
| Watauga River Near Sugar Grove | 38 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 33 cfs | → |
| Big Limestone Creek Near Limestone | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Lake.
Boat launches
- Us 321;Sr 67 Carter County
- Wilbur Dam Road Carter County
- Blevins 221-259, Johnson City
- Mitchell County
- Lovers Lane 338, Carter County
- Moody Circle Carter County
Campgrounds
- Roan Mountain State Park
- Dennis Cove Campground
- Dennis Cove Rec Area
- Dennis Cove Recreation Area
- Upper Laurel Fork
- Lil Rock Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
More reservoirs
Track Miller 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 Miller Lake
Where does the data for Miller 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 Miller Lake.