Whippoorwill Lake dam
Whippoorwill Lake
Whippoorwill Lake, located in Maury, Tennessee, is a private earth dam constructed in 1983 with a primary purpose that remains unspecified. The dam stands at a structural height of 39.8 feet, with a hydraulic height of 21.2 feet and a total length of 841 feet. With a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet and a surface area of 30 acres, Whippoorwill Lake plays a crucial role in regulating water resources in the area.
Managed by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program, Whippoorwill Lake is subject to regular inspections, with the latest assessment in January 2021 rating its condition as satisfactory. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level (3) and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway system. This critical infrastructure not only contributes to water resource management but also serves as a valuable asset in mitigating climate-related risks such as flooding and water scarcity in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Whippoorwill Lake to be a fascinating example of human-made infrastructure working in harmony with nature. As an integral part of the state's regulatory system, this dam embodies the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in Tennessee. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Whippoorwill Lake stands as a testament to the innovation and dedication required to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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 Whippoorwill Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck River At Columbia | 947 cfs | → |
| Copperas Branch Near Kingfield | 1 cfs | → |
| Duck River At Hwy 100 At Centerville | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Vernon | 244 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Fountain Heights | 3 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River At Franklin | 164 cfs | → |
About Whippoorwill Lake
Where does the data for Whippoorwill 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 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 below 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.
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.