Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike dam
Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike
Located in Kingston, Tennessee, the Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike is a vital structure designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority to reduce flood risks along the Clinch River. This Federal-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 37 feet. Completed in 1942, the dike spans 3,500 feet and is primarily composed of stone core and rests on rock and soil foundations.
The Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike serves as a crucial flood risk reduction measure, reflecting the Tennessee Valley Authority's commitment to safeguarding the surrounding communities from potential water-related hazards. With a high hazard potential, this dike plays a key role in protecting the area from inundation and ensuring the safety of residents in Roane County. Despite its age, the dam continues to fulfill its purpose effectively, demonstrating the enduring resilience of its design and construction by TVA.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the significance of infrastructure like the Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike, they gain insight into the complexities of managing water resources and mitigating climate-related risks. This structure exemplifies the ongoing efforts to balance human development with environmental protection, showcasing the innovation and foresight required to address the challenges posed by changing weather patterns and increasing water levels.
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 Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Emory River At Oakdale | 52 cfs | → |
| Obed River Near Lancing | 599 cfs | → |
| Daddys Creek Near Hebbertsburg | 12 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Lilly Bridge Near Lancing | 10 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Solway | 29 cfs | → |
| Sewee Creek Near Decatur | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike.
Boat launches
- Loudon Highway 29272, Loudon County
- Melton Hill Dam Boat Ramp
- Morgan County Highway 3098, Wartburg
- Meigs County
- Melton Hill Park Boat Ramp
- Solway Park Oak Ridge
Campgrounds
- Rock Creek Camground
- Mart Fields Campsite
- Windrock Campgrounds
- Frozen Head State Park
- Tub Spring Campsite
- Panther Gap Rockhouse
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
Track Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike 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 Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike
Where does the data for Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike 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 Watts Bar Dam - Kingston Backwater Dike.