Cheston Lake dam
Cheston Lake
Cheston Lake, located in Cowan, Tennessee, is a private water resource with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, completed in 1950, is earth-type and stands at a height of 38 feet. With a hydraulic height of 34 feet, the lake has a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet, providing ample water for recreational activities. The surface area of the lake is 5.8 acres, with a drainage area of 0.1 acres, ensuring a serene and picturesque environment for visitors.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Cheston Lake is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state, ensuring the safety and integrity of the dam. The condition assessment of the dam is rated as satisfactory, with a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment. While the spillway type is uncontrolled, the lake is equipped with emergency action plans and contact information to mitigate any potential risks. Overall, Cheston Lake offers a peaceful and enjoyable setting for water and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and explore.
With its location near Tribwiggins Creek and the Nashville District, Cheston Lake provides a unique recreational opportunity for visitors to engage with nature and water resources. The surrounding area of Franklin, Tennessee, offers a beautiful backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy fishing, boating, and other water-related activities. As a well-maintained and regulated water resource, Cheston Lake serves as a valuable asset for the community, promoting conservation and appreciation of the natural environment.
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 Cheston Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk River Near Pelham | 31 cfs | → |
| Bradley Creek Nr Prairie Plains | 33 cfs | → |
| Duck River Below Manchester | 41 cfs | → |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 152 cfs | → |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 2 cfs | → |
| Lookout Creek Near New England | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cheston Lake.
Boat launches
- Prairie Plains Road 6471, Hillsboro
- Morris Ferry Dock Road 66-98, Estill Springs
- Franklin County Park Boat Ramp
- Manchester Beach Road, Tullahoma
- Phillip Fulmer Parkway 1501, Winchester
- Dry Creek Ramp Road 99, Winchester
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Coon Creek
- Bowman Branch
- Fayetteville Old Stone Bridge
- Madison County Lake
- Guntersville Lake
- Desoto State Park Lake
Paddle runs
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Cheston 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 Cheston Lake
Where does the data for Cheston 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 Cheston Lake.