Browns Creek Lake dam
Browns Creek Lake
Browns Creek Lake in Henderson, Tennessee, is a state-regulated body of water that serves as a recreational hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1935, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 28.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22.7 feet. With a storage capacity of 2,642 acre-feet and a surface area of 168 acres, Browns Creek Lake is a significant water resource in the region.
Maintained by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, the dam at Browns Creek Lake is inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in February 2021, resulting in a satisfactory condition assessment. The hazard potential of the dam is considered significant, but the risk assessment is moderate. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards and provide a safe environment for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. As a vital part of the local ecosystem, Browns Creek Lake is an essential water resource that enhances the natural beauty of the area.
Located in Chesterfield, Tennessee, Browns Creek Lake offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts looking to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained reservoir. With its uncontrolled spillway and peaceful surroundings, this dam is not only a popular destination for recreation but also plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. Whether you're a climate advocate or simply a lover of the great outdoors, Browns Creek Lake is a must-visit destination that showcases the harmony between human intervention and natural beauty in water resource management.
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 Browns Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy River At Bruceton | 65 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Huntingdon | 38 cfs | → |
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Below Lobelville | 460 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Flat Woods | 265 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Forked Deer River Near Fairview | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Browns Creek Lake.
Boat launches
- Beech Bend Park Road, Decaturville
- Mousetail Landing State Park Boat Ramp
- Birdsong Marina Road Benton County
- Humphreys County
- Main Street 499, Saltillo
- Lowell Thomas Drive Madison County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Bethel Bridge On County Road 6174 To Confluence With Duck River
- The Henryville Bridge Crossing On County Road 6230 To Bethel Bridge On County Road 6174
More reservoirs
Track Browns Creek 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 Browns Creek Lake
Where does the data for Browns Creek 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 Significant 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 Browns Creek Lake.