Elk River Dam dam
Elk River Dam
Elk River Dam, also known as Woods Reservoir, is a concrete dam located in Estill Springs, Tennessee, along the Elk River. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this dam also serves for recreation and water supply. Built by the US Air Force, the dam stands at a height of 82 feet and has a hydraulic height of 75 feet, with a storage capacity of over 100,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 101,000 cubic feet per second.
The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 150 feet and is equipped with slide and tainter gates for water release. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and the last inspection was conducted in August 2015. In 2011, mechanical modifications were made to the dam, ensuring its continued functionality and safety. Elk River Dam is vital for managing water resources in the region and plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks while providing recreational opportunities and water supply for the community.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Elk River Dam a fascinating infrastructure, showcasing the intersection of engineering, environmental management, and public safety. As a federal-owned structure, the dam contributes to the overall water management strategy in Tennessee, protecting downstream areas from flooding and ensuring a stable water supply for various purposes. With a very high risk rating and a history of successful risk management measures, Elk River Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate 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 Elk River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley Creek Nr Prairie Plains | 33 cfs | → |
| Duck River Below Manchester | 41 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Pelham | 31 cfs | → |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 2 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Shelbyville | 158 cfs | → |
| Duck River Near Shelbyville | 199 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk River Dam.
Boat launches
- Franklin County Park Boat Ramp
- Morris Ferry Dock Road 66-98, Estill Springs
- Manchester Beach Road, Tullahoma
- Eastbrook Road 1740, Estill Springs
- Pleasant Grove Road 195, Estill Springs
- Prairie Plains Road 6471, Hillsboro
Campgrounds
- Arnold Afb Military
- Tims Ford State Camp
- Tims Ford State Park
- Barton Springs - Normandy Lake
- Old Stone Fort State Park
- Cedar Point - Normandy Lake
Fishing spots
Track Elk River Dam 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 Elk River Dam
Where does the data for Elk River Dam 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 Elk River Dam.