Burgess Falls dam
Burgess Falls
Burgess Falls, located in Putnam, Tennessee, is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This state-owned dam on Falling Water River serves primarily for recreation, offering visitors a chance to marvel at its impressive hydraulic height of 26.6 feet and structural height of 39.6 feet. Completed in 1928, the concrete dam stands at a length of 346 feet and has a storage capacity of 3382 acre-feet, making it a significant structure in the region.
With a hazard potential rated as significant and a condition assessment deemed satisfactory, Burgess Falls dam is regularly inspected by the Tennessee Safe Dams Program to ensure its safety and regulatory compliance. The dam's moderate risk level (3) underscores the importance of ongoing risk management measures. Although it lacks certain features like outlet gates and spillway width, Burgess Falls remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a unique blend of natural beauty and man-made engineering.
Overall, Burgess Falls serves as a picturesque example of how water resources can be harnessed for recreational purposes while also highlighting the need for careful monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. Its location in the Nashville District and proximity to Williams Crossing make it a must-visit destination for those interested in both the natural and engineered aspects of our environment.
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 Burgess Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Falling Water River Near Cookeville | 24 cfs | → |
| Calfkiller River At Hwy 111 Below Sparta | 282 cfs | → |
| Smith Fork At Temperance Hall | 24 cfs | → |
| Roaring River Near Hilham | 10 cfs | → |
| Collins River Near Mcminnville | 173 cfs | → |
| West Fork Obey River Near Alpine | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burgess Falls.
Boat launches
- Monterey Highway 1603-1651, Sparta
- Dekalb County
- Martins Creek Highway 1179-1299, Granville
- Dodson Branch Highway 10281-10325, Gainesboro
Campgrounds
- Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake
- Holmes Creek - Center Hill Lake
- Edgar Evins State Park
- Cove Hollow - Center Hill Lake
- Long Branch - Center Hill Lake
- Salt Lick Creek - Cordell Hull Lake
Track Burgess Falls 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 Burgess Falls
Where does the data for Burgess Falls 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 Burgess Falls.