Beech Dam dam
Beech Dam
Beech Dam, also known as Beech Lake Dam, is a federal-owned structure located in Henderson, Tennessee. Built in 1963 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this earth dam stands at a height of 44 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction purposes. It spans 1615 feet in length and has a maximum storage capacity of 15,500 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 11,070 acre-feet.
Situated on the Beech River, Beech Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flood risks. With a hazard potential rated as high, regular inspections are carried out to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its importance in flood management, the dam also offers recreational opportunities and serves as a water supply source for the region.
Managed and operated by the TVA, Beech Dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates for water release. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam continues to be an essential infrastructure for water resource management in the area. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Beech Dam a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship in the face of changing weather patterns and water management challenges.
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 Beech Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Forked Deer River Near Fairview | 77 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Huntingdon | 38 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy River At Bruceton | 70 cfs | → |
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Flat Woods | 305 cfs | → |
| Horse Creek Near Savannah | 68 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beech Dam.
Boat launches
- Lowell Thomas Drive Madison County
- Beech Bend Park Road, Decaturville
- Mousetail Landing State Park Boat Ramp
- White Oak Wildlife Road, Sardis
- Main Street 499, Saltillo
- Tennessee River Lane 475, Savannah
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Beech 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 Beech Dam
Where does the data for Beech 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 Beech Dam.