Jamestown Reservoir dam
Jamestown Reservoir
Jamestown Reservoir in Fentress, Tennessee, is a key water resource managed by the local government. Constructed in 1970 on North White Oak Creek, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 44 feet and has a hydraulic height of 28.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 2140 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 66 acres and serves as a vital source of water for the surrounding community.
Maintained by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Jamestown Reservoir has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as satisfactory in condition. The dam, equipped with an uncontrolled spillway, underwent its last inspection in October 2020 and is subject to regular state oversight, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water management within the region, ensuring a reliable water supply for residents and supporting various activities dependent on its resources.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the significance of structures like Jamestown Reservoir becomes increasingly apparent. With its regulated status and state jurisdiction, the reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of proactive dam management in mitigating risks and securing water supplies for communities. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates alike can appreciate the vital role that Jamestown Reservoir plays in maintaining the water security of Fentress, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas.
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 Jamestown Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Obey River Near Jamestown | 11 cfs | → |
| South Fk Cumberland River At Leatherwood Ford | 120 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork Near Robbins | 24 cfs | → |
| Wolf River Near Byrdstown | 20 cfs | → |
| New River At New River | 37 cfs | → |
| West Fork Obey River Near Alpine | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jamestown Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Timber Ridge Horse Campground
- Spruce Creek Stables & Campground
- Saddle Valley Campground
- Pickett State Rustic Park
- East Fork Stables
- Bandy Creek Campground
Paddle runs
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
Track Jamestown Reservoir 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 Jamestown Reservoir
Where does the data for Jamestown Reservoir 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Jamestown Reservoir.