Pin Oak Dam dam
Pin Oak Dam
Pin Oak Dam, also known as Browns Creek Dam or Pin Oak Lake, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Located in Henderson, Tennessee, this earth dam was completed in 1964 for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Browns Creek. With a height of 44 feet and a storage capacity of 12,700 acre-feet, the dam serves to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
In addition to its flood risk reduction function, Pin Oak Dam also offers recreational opportunities with a surface area of 663 acres for visitors to enjoy. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 250 feet and outlet gates for controlled releases. The Tennessee Valley Authority oversees the design, construction, regulatory, inspection, and operation aspects of the dam to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Pin Oak Dam is assessed to have a moderate risk level. Regular inspections and emergency action plans are in place to address any potential risks and ensure the safety of the dam and the surrounding community. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering feat and the crucial role that Pin Oak Dam plays in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
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 Pin Oak Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy River At Bruceton | 70 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Huntingdon | 38 cfs | → |
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Flat Woods | 305 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Below Lobelville | 548 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Forked Deer River Near Fairview | 77 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pin Oak Dam.
Boat launches
- Beech Bend Park Road, Decaturville
- Mousetail Landing State Park Boat Ramp
- Main Street 499, Saltillo
- White Oak Wildlife Road, Sardis
- Birdsong Marina Road Benton County
- 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 Pin Oak 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 Pin Oak Dam
Where does the data for Pin Oak 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 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 Pin Oak Dam.