Unicoi Lake dam
Unicoi Lake
Unicoi Lake in Coker Creek, Tennessee, is a privately owned reservoir built in 1968 with a primary purpose that is not specified. The dam type is earth, standing at 24.9 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 23.3 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.4 acres, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The reservoir is situated on the Coker Creek river and is managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite not being regulated or inspected by the state, Unicoi Lake boasts a well-maintained structure with a last inspection date of September 2016. The reservoir has no associated structures and an uncontrolled spillway type. Although the dam's condition is not rated, it is considered to meet safety guidelines and has not required an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to be prepared. The risk management measures for the dam are not specified, but it is clear that the risk assessment for Unicoi Lake is moderate.
Overall, Unicoi Lake serves as a valuable water resource in Monroe County, Tennessee, providing recreational opportunities and supporting the local ecosystem. With its picturesque surroundings and ample storage capacity, this privately owned reservoir is a significant feature in the region's water infrastructure. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Unicoi Lake an intriguing location to explore and study the intersection of human engineering and natural water systems.
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 Unicoi Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 131 cfs | → |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 259 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 116 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 32 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 141 cfs | → |
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Unicoi Lake.
Boat launches
- Hiwassee Dam Access Road 4692, Murphy
- Towee Creek Launch
- Apalachia Powerhouse Launch
- Powerhouse Road 820-832, Reliance
- Micken Branch Cherokee County
- Ellis Creek Road 155, Reliance
Campgrounds
- Holly Flats Campground
- Holly Flats
- Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground
- Dam Creek
- Dam Creek Walk-In Campground And Picnic Area
- North River Composite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
Track Unicoi 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 Unicoi Lake
Where does the data for Unicoi 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 Unicoi Lake.