Hunter dam
Hunter
Hunter, also known as Gordon Hunter Lake, is a private water resource located in Putnam, Tennessee, managed by the USDA NRCS. Built in 1961, this Earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 26 feet and a structural height of 32 feet, with a length of 300 feet and a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet. Although primarily designed for flood risk reduction, Hunter serves multiple purposes including fire protection, recreational activities, and supporting wildlife habitats.
Despite being a privately owned structure, Hunter's significant hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk assessments. With a moderate risk rating, the dam's condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in October 2020. While there are no outlet gates or locks associated with the dam, the uncontrolled spillway and its location on TribSpring Creek highlight the need for continued monitoring and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety of nearby communities. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hunter presents a valuable case study in the management and maintenance of essential infrastructure to mitigate potential risks and preserve natural ecosystems.
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 Hunter -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roaring River Near Hilham | 10 cfs | → |
| Falling Water River Near Cookeville | 24 cfs | → |
| West Fork Obey River Near Alpine | 10 cfs | → |
| Calfkiller River At Hwy 111 Below Sparta | 282 cfs | → |
| East Fork Obey River Near Jamestown | 11 cfs | → |
| Wolf River Near Byrdstown | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hunter.
Boat launches
- Monterey Highway 1603-1651, Sparta
- Dodson Branch Highway 10281-10325, Gainesboro
- Martins Creek Highway 1179-1299, Granville
- Dekalb County
- State Park Road Clinton County
Campgrounds
- Standing Stone State Rustic Park
- Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake
- Dale Hollow Dam - Dale Hollow Lake
- East Fork Stables
- Salt Lick Creek - Cordell Hull Lake
- Obey River - Dale Hollow Lake
Paddle runs
- U.S. 127 Bridge To Morgan County Line
- I-40 Bridge To Western Boundary Of Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, At Adams Bridge
- Mill Site To Center Bridge
- Center Bridge To Cumberland-Morgan County Line
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
More reservoirs
Track Hunter 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 Hunter
Where does the data for Hunter 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 Hunter.