Kirk Lake dam
Kirk Lake
Kirk Lake in Hickman, Tennessee, is a private water resource managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Built in 2014, this earthen dam serves as a vital structure for flood control and water storage on Tribbear Creek. With a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, Kirk Lake has a storage capacity of 73 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Kirk Lake is deemed to have moderate risk due to its location and structure. This risk assessment prompts a regular inspection frequency of 5 years to ensure the dam's safety and integrity. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and no outlet gates, raising concerns for potential emergency situations. While the condition assessment is marked as "Not Rated," the risk management measures and emergency action plans are yet to be fully prepared and updated.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kirk Lake presents an opportunity to explore the intricacies of dam management and risk assessment. Its location in a rural area of Tennessee adds to the charm of this essential infrastructure, showcasing the balance between water conservation and safety measures. As efforts continue to enhance the risk management and emergency response plans for Kirk Lake, it stands as a symbol of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities in maintaining water resources for both human and environmental needs.
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 Kirk Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piney River At Vernon | 79 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Hwy 100 At Centerville | 528 cfs | → |
| Copperas Branch Near Kingfield | 1 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 777 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River Near Kingston Springs | 34 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Below Lobelville | 457 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kirk Lake.
Boat launches
- Willie Shanes Road 115, Hickman County
- Cheatham County
- Gaynor Slough Boat Ramp
- Brush Creek Recreational Area
- River Trail Maury County
- Humphreys County
Campgrounds
- Woodland Shelter
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Wildcat Shelter
- Tennessee Highway 50 Bicycle-Only Campground, At Milepost 408
- Camp Isengard
- Harpeth River Bridge
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 Kirk 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 Kirk Lake
Where does the data for Kirk 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 Kirk Lake.