Cherokee dam
Cherokee
Cherokee is a privately owned dam located in Bellview, Cumberland, Tennessee, along the Little Laurel Creek. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 30.9 feet and has a hydraulic height of 29 feet. With a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.5 acres, Cherokee plays a vital role in regulating water flow and providing water resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Cherokee is subject to regular inspections, with the most recent assessment in May 2019 rating its condition as satisfactory and its hazard potential as low. Despite its age, this dam has undergone minimal modifications over the years and remains in good standing. In the event of an emergency, the dam is equipped with a spillway type of Uncontrolled, ensuring proper water release during peak flow periods. Overall, Cherokee presents a moderate risk level, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of this essential water infrastructure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the significance of dams like Cherokee in maintaining water security and mitigating flood risks in the region. By supporting state-regulated programs and initiatives, such as the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, we can ensure the continued operation and safety of critical infrastructure like Cherokee for the benefit of both the environment and local communities. With proper maintenance and risk management practices, Cherokee stands as a testament to the resilience of our water resource systems in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Cherokee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Calfkiller River At Hwy 111 Below Sparta | 282 cfs | → |
| Daddys Creek Near Hebbertsburg | 12 cfs | → |
| Sewee Creek Near Decatur | 23 cfs | → |
| Falling Water River Near Cookeville | 24 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Lilly Bridge Near Lancing | 10 cfs | → |
| Collins River Near Mcminnville | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherokee.
Boat launches
- Monterey Highway 1603-1651, Sparta
- Meigs County
- Blythes Ferry Road 5673, Dayton
- Blythe Ferry Road 6699, Meigs County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
More reservoirs
Track Cherokee 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 Cherokee
Where does the data for Cherokee 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 Cherokee.