Reelfootindian Creek #15 dam
Reelfootindian Creek #15
Reelfootindian Creek #15, also known as Reelfoot Indian Creek Dam 15, is a state-owned dam located in Obion, Tennessee. Constructed in 1974 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 29 feet, with a hydraulic height of 22 feet. It serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Hamblin Branch river or stream, with a normal storage capacity of 183 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1094 acre-feet.
The dam, with a length of 1137 feet and a surface area of 42.5 acres, is regulated by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted on November 6, 2019, revealing a satisfactory condition. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is deemed to have a moderate risk level. While it currently lacks certain emergency preparedness measures like an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps, Reelfootindian Creek #15 continues to play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.
With its strategic location and effective flood risk reduction capabilities, Reelfootindian Creek #15 stands as a testament to successful state-led water resource management efforts in Tennessee. As climate change continues to impact water resources, this dam serves as a vital infrastructure for protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Through ongoing inspections and risk assessments, the dam remains a key component of the state's water resource infrastructure, providing valuable lessons for sustainable water management in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Reelfootindian Creek #15 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reelfoot Creek Near Samburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Samburg | 0 cfs | → |
| Bayou De Chien Near Clinton | 799 cfs | → |
| North Fork Obion River Near Martin | 2,750 cfs | → |
| South Fork Obion River Near Greenfield | 473 cfs | → |
| Little River Ditch No. 1 Near Morehouse | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reelfootindian Creek #15.
Track Reelfootindian Creek #15 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 Reelfootindian Creek #15
Where does the data for Reelfootindian Creek #15 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 Significant 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 Reelfootindian Creek #15.