Rucker dam
Rucker
Rucker, located in Jefferson, Tennessee, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1953 on Tuckahoe Creek. With a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 22.8 feet, Rucker has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 77 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 11.5 acres and draining a 0.46 square mile watershed.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Rucker is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3 out of 5. The dam is not currently regulated by the state and has not been rated for its condition. The last inspection took place in January 2017, with an inspection frequency of 5 years.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rucker presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned dam in Tennessee with historical significance dating back to the 1950s. Its location on Tuckahoe Creek and its moderate risk level highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. Further research and assessment may provide valuable insights into the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience 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 Rucker -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 153 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Maryville | 120 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River At Newport | 270 cfs | → |
| Bullrun Creek Near Halls Crossroads | 15 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Newport | 705 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River Near Lowland | 660 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rucker.
Boat launches
- Sevier County
- River Island Boulevard Knox County
- Seven Islands Road Seven Islands
- Nance Ferry Road Grainger County
- Cruze Landing Boat Ramp
- Renfro Road 2637, Jefferson City
Campgrounds
- Douglas Dam Tailwater
- Douglas Dam Headwater
- Sevier County Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Dandridge Municipal Park - Douglas Reservoir
- Cherokee Dam
- May Springs
Fishing spots
Track Rucker 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 Rucker
Where does the data for Rucker 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 Rucker.